Startup Originals Team
India’s bustling food delivery market just got a shakeup. Rapido-the well-known bike taxi and ride-hailing platform-has officially launched its standalone food delivery app, Ownly, in Bengaluru. By promising a zero-commission model for restaurants and transparent pricing for customers, Rapido is setting its sights squarely on giants like Swiggy and Zomato, aiming to change the food delivery experience in India’s tech hub.
What Sets Ownly Apart?
Zero-Commission Model:
Unlike competitors, which often charge restaurants commissions as high as 30%, Ownly charges no commission at all. This means:
- Restaurants keep more of their earnings.
- Eateries pay only a fixed delivery fee per order, not a percentage.
- Customers get to enjoy food at “offline prices” without extra markups or hidden charges.
Transparent and Affordable Pricing:
- Most menu items are under ₹150, with staples like rice and eggs below ₹100.
- Food prices are, on average, 15% lower than on other platforms.
- No additional platform fees, packaging surcharges, or inflated prices-what you see is what you pay.
How Does the Delivery Fee Work?
- For orders ≤ ₹100: Restaurants pay ₹10, customers pay ₹20.
- For orders ₹101 – ₹400: Delivery fee is ₹25 plus GST.
- For orders > ₹400: Delivery fee is ₹50.
- Restaurants cover the delivery cost for orders within a 4km radius, with customers paying a small, clearly defined charge depending on order value.
Where Is Ownly Available Now?
Ownly’s initial rollout targets:
- Koramangala
- HSR Layout
- BTM Layout
- Byrasandra
- Tavarekere
- Madiwala
All are trendsetting localities in South Bengaluru, known for their young professionals and vibrant food scenes. Plans are underway to expand rapidly-Rapido aims to bring Ownly to 500 cities by year-end.
Leveraging Rapido’s Delivery Fleet:
Rapido isn’t starting from scratch. Its vast on-ground network of bike taxi riders-spanning over 500 Indian cities-serves as the backbone for Ownly’s food deliveries. This enables quick scaling without the need for a new logistics network.
Partnerships and Featured Brands:
The app already features well-loved chains like Wow! Momo, Eatfit, Krispy Kreme, and Faasos-with many dishes firmly in the budget-friendly category. Discussions with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), which represents 50,000+ eateries, helped shape the zero-commission approach, directly addressing the industry’s most common pain point.
Why This Matters:
With Ownly, Rapido is responding to widespread frustration among restaurant owners around high platform fees. The service offers:
- Restaurants: Higher margins and earnings.
- Customers: Cheaper meals, no surcharges, and more transparency.
- Industry Impact: A bold challenge to entrenched players and a potential shift in the economics of food delivery.
Conclusion:
Rapido’s Ownly brings a refreshing, transparent approach to food delivery in Bengaluru. With zero commissions, clear pricing, and an existing delivery fleet, it’s poised to make waves in a market long dominated by a few big brands. As Rapido gears up to expand nationally, Bengaluru’s food lovers and restauranteurs have good reason to celebrate this new beginning.
