Zomato is once again making headlines, and this time it’s not about faster deliveries or fancy new offers. The Gurugram-based food delivery giant has announced a steep hike in its platform fee, raising it to Rs 12 per order – a sharp 20% jump just ahead of the festive season rush. And here’s the kicker: with over 2.3–2.5 million daily orders, this small tweak could rake in over ₹3 crore every single day!

Introduced back in 2023, the platform fee has quietly ballooned from a modest Rs 2 to today’s Rs 12. That’s a sixfold increase in just two years. Market watchers note that every extra rupee in fees directly boosts Zomato’s margins, bringing the company closer to its ambitious target of hitting 5% adjusted EBITDA.

Not to be left behind, Swiggy has also upped its fee to Rs 15 (inclusive of GST) in select regions. Both companies seem to be following a playbook: hike the fee ahead of peak demand seasons, test customer tolerance, and never roll back.

But here’s where things get more dramatic. Despite a 16% year-on-year rise in gross order value to Rs 10,769 crore in April–June, growth is slowing compared to earlier quarters. Parent company Eternal’s revenue soared 70% YoY to Rs 7,167 crore, yet profits crashed 90% to Rs 25 crore, battered by rising costs and heavy investments.

Meanwhile, Blinkit has emerged as the real star. With a jaw-dropping 127% YoY growth in net order value, hitting ₹9,203 crore, it has overtaken Zomato’s core food delivery business for the very first time. Quick commerce, it seems, is no longer just the side hustle – it’s the main show.

Swiggy, however, is struggling with mounting losses, posting a ₹1,197 crore deficit in the June quarter despite a 54% jump in revenue. Its gamble on Instamart is proving expensive, and the pressure is on as the quick commerce war heats up.

So, what does this mean for customers? Well, every food delivery now comes with a bigger price tag, whether you like it or not. With Zomato and Swiggy both in sync on platform fees, there’s little room for consumers to escape. But for investors, this move signals a clear intent: squeeze margins, accelerate profitability, and ride the quick commerce boom.

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