In a strategic move set to shake up India’s food delivery landscape, Rapido, the country’s leading bike-taxi platform, is now venturing into the food delivery business. But unlike existing giants Swiggy and Zomato, Rapido is taking a sharply different route. By partnering with major Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) like McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut, Rapido is targeting short-distance (within 5 km) deliveries in major metro cities, backed by an innovative and potentially cost-saving model for restaurants.
Instead of the traditional high-commission structure, Rapido is introducing a subscription-based pricing model. Under this approach, restaurants pay a fixed fee plus a nominal per-order cost, potentially offering significant savings. This model could help eateries reduce their delivery overheads and, in turn, offer better prices or improved margins—a win-win in a market where profitability is under constant pressure. This shift not only aims to address long-standing complaints from restaurant partners but could also introduce a new standard for fairness and sustainability in the ecosystem.
With over $1 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) already on the books from its core business, Rapido is leveraging its asset-light infrastructure to make inroads into the fiercely competitive food delivery sector. Its strategy to prioritize chain restaurants instead of smaller outlets could give it early operational efficiency, controlled delivery zones, and reliable volume—crucial elements for any logistics-driven business.
This move reflects a broader trend of ecosystem diversification among mobility players. Rapido’s existing fleet, optimized for hyperlocal travel, makes it uniquely positioned to offer faster, more efficient short-haul deliveries, which are often the most time-sensitive and cost-inefficient in traditional models.
Will this approach succeed? Time will tell. But what’s clear is that Rapido is not just entering the game—it’s rewriting the rules. With its chain-first, subscription-led, and hyperlocal-focused strategy, the company is signaling a serious challenge to the status quo, aiming to carve out a space that’s leaner, faster, and possibly more equitable for all stakeholders.
As the battle for India’s food delivery market intensifies, Rapido’s entry adds a compelling twist—one that professionals across tech, logistics, and F&B sectors will be watching closely.
