Rapido Food Delivery Launch in India (2025): Low Commission, Big Disruption?

Rapido, India’s favorite bike taxi app, is now zooming into the food delivery game in 2025—and it’s not just a side hustle! With zero-commission offers for restaurants and budget-friendly delivery options for customers, Rapido is all set to stir things up in a market long ruled by Swiggy and Zomato. If you’re a foodie, restaurant owner, or delivery partner, this move might just change the way you look at your next meal delivery.
So grab your chai, and let’s jump into the blog to see what Rapido’s big food delivery plan means for you! 🚀
Table of Contents
🚨 Big News: Rapido Enters the Food Delivery Business in India!
India’s food delivery market is heating up — and Rapido, best known for its bike taxi service, has just rolled into the arena. After transforming how millions commute across over 100 Indian cities, the startup is now ready to deliver your meals with a disruptive new strategy.
If you’re a restaurant owner, a delivery rider, or a foodie tired of high delivery charges — Rapido’s entry into food delivery could be game-changing.
🔍 Why Rapido Is Entering Food Delivery in 2025
The Indian food delivery market is projected to reach $33 billion by 2029, with over 250 million online food customers. Currently dominated by Swiggy and Zomato, this market has faced criticism for:
- High commission rates (up to 30%)
- Increased food prices on platforms
- Reduced profits for restaurants
Rapido saw this as an opportunity to bring change — just like it did in ride-sharing with low-cost bike taxis.
💡 What Makes Rapido’s Model Unique?
Rapido is not just copying the food delivery formula — it’s rewriting it. Here’s how:
✅ Flat Delivery Fee
Unlike Zomato or Swiggy that charge a commission per order, Rapido is planning a fixed delivery fee of just ₹25 per order over ₹100. That means:
- No hidden platform charges
- Transparent pricing for customers
- Lower delivery cost for small restaurants
✅ Zero-Commission Subscription for Restaurants
Restaurants can join Rapido’s platform with a monthly subscription model instead of sharing a cut from every order. This can significantly increase restaurant margins.
✅ Bike Taxi Fleet Advantage
With over 1 million active bike taxi riders, Rapido already has a robust logistics network to handle food orders, especially in metro cities like:
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Delhi NCR
- Chennai
- Pune
This existing infrastructure gives them an edge in delivery speed and cost-efficiency.
📍 Pilot Launch Cities in India
Rapido has begun testing the food delivery model in Bengaluru, known for its tech-savvy consumers and dense restaurant clusters. Expansion plans include:
- Delhi NCR
- Hyderabad
- Tier 2 cities by early 2026
This city-by-city approach mirrors the brand’s successful rollout strategy used in its ride-hailing services.
🍽️ How This Benefits Local Restaurants
If you’re a restaurant owner, Rapido offers a better deal:
- No 25–30% commission per order
- You control menu pricing
- Easy onboarding through Rapido Partner Portal (partners.rapido.com)
This could help small eateries and cloud kitchens survive rising costs and attract more direct orders.
📈 Potential Impact on Zomato & Swiggy
Swiggy and Zomato have enjoyed a duopoly for years. But Rapido’s entry might:
- Trigger price wars
- Push giants to reduce commission rates
- Shift restaurant loyalty toward Rapido’s model
- Create better earnings for delivery riders
While the big two are deeply entrenched, innovation always opens the door for disruption.
🧾 How Can You Order From Rapido Food?
Though the feature is still in testing, here’s how Rapido plans to roll it out:
- Update your Rapido app (a new “Food” tab will appear).
- Choose nearby restaurants based on location.
- Place your order with zero markup.
- Track your rider in real time.
As of June 2025, this feature is in beta phase in select Bengaluru zones.
🛵 What’s in It for Delivery Partners?
Rapido’s existing fleet of bikers will now be able to:
- Earn extra by delivering food between rides
- Get bonus incentives for short-distance deliveries
- Use existing onboarding with no extra investment
This dual-income model is especially beneficial for students and part-time riders.
🤔 Challenges Rapido Might Face
Despite the hype, Rapido has some major hurdles to overcome:
- Operational costs in food delivery are high
- Building restaurant partnerships from scratch takes time
- Swiggy and Zomato already have market dominance
- Customer trust in food quality & timely delivery is essential
Still, disruption often begins with a bold move — and Rapido has proven itself before.
🚀 Future of Food Delivery in India: More Choice, Lower Prices?
With ONDC, JioMart, Magicpin, and now Rapido entering the game — India’s food delivery ecosystem is opening up.
As competition rises, expect:
- Lower delivery charges
- Reduced commissions for restaurants
- More control for small food businesses
- Faster, more affordable food delivery in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
The consumer ultimately wins.
📣 Final Thoughts: Rapido’s Food Delivery Play Could Change the Game
Rapido is entering a crowded space, but with a clear advantage — fleet readiness, lower prices, and restaurant-friendly policies.
If they execute well, they might just become India’s third major food delivery app.
So whether you’re a restaurant owner looking for a fairer deal, a delivery partner seeking better earnings, or a customer craving cost-effective meals — keep an eye on Rapido. The food fight is just beginning!
🔍 FAQs About Rapido Food Delivery
Q1: When is Rapido launching food delivery in India?
Rapido has already begun pilot programs in Bengaluru in mid-2025 and plans to expand to other metros by the end of the year.
Q2: How much does Rapido charge for food delivery?
Rapido offers a flat ₹25 fee per delivery for orders above ₹100, making it cheaper than Swiggy or Zomato.
Q3: What’s different about Rapido’s food delivery model?
It follows a subscription model for restaurants, with zero commission per order — a game-changer for small eateries.
Q4: Can I use the existing Rapido app to order food?
Yes, food ordering will soon be available within the existing Rapido app, starting in select cities.