Flipkart is preparing to enter India’s competitive online food-delivery market with a new service reportedly called Eat-in by Minutes. The Walmart-owned e-commerce giant has expanded internal testing to thousands of employees in Bengaluru and is targeting a public launch by the end of October 2026.
The move could intensify competition with established platforms Zomato and Swiggy, which dominate India’s online food-ordering business. Flipkart hopes to leverage its existing customer base, logistics network and shopping app to establish a foothold in the sector.
Flipkart Tests Food Delivery With 8,000 Employees
According to reports, Flipkart initially tested the service with a few hundred employees before expanding the trial to approximately 8,000 staff members.
The food-delivery feature reportedly appears as a separate tab within Flipkart’s main shopping app, alongside its quick-commerce service, Flipkart Minutes, and travel bookings.
The initial trial is taking place in Bengaluru. Flipkart has also reportedly deployed a dedicated fleet of delivery riders through its logistics arm, Ekart, keeping food deliveries separate from quick-commerce orders.
The company has not officially confirmed the public launch date or all the details of the service.
Restaurants From ONDC and Direct Partnerships
Eat-in by Minutes reportedly lists restaurants available through the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), alongside restaurants that have partnered directly with Flipkart.
ONDC connects buyers and sellers through participating digital platforms, potentially giving Flipkart access to a wider selection of restaurants without having to build its entire restaurant network from scratch.
The approach could help the company expand its offerings while keeping its initial operating model relatively flexible.
Flipkart Could Offer Lower Restaurant Commissions
One of the biggest differentiators could be the commission charged to restaurant partners.
According to industry sources cited in media reports, Flipkart has proposed a base commission of around 10%. Established platforms such as Zomato and Swiggy are reported to charge restaurants approximately 20% to 25% in commission, although actual costs vary by agreement.
Restaurant expenses can extend well beyond commissions. Advertising, discounts and promotional campaigns can push the total cost of selling through established platforms considerably higher.
Flipkart reportedly aims to keep these additional costs lower, potentially allowing restaurants to retain a greater share of their earnings.
However, lower commissions alone may not guarantee success. The company will also need to attract customers, ensure reliable deliveries and offer competitive prices.
Can Flipkart Beat Zomato and Swiggy?
Zomato and Swiggy have established restaurant networks, extensive delivery fleets and strong consumer recognition. Competing against them will require substantial investment in customer acquisition, delivery operations and incentives.
Flipkart does have some advantages. Its large existing user base could help it promote food ordering within an app that millions of consumers already use. Its logistics capabilities and partnerships could also support expansion into additional cities.
Reports suggest that Flipkart aims to expand the service to five or six cities by the end of 2026, although this timeline has not been officially confirmed.
The competitive landscape is also changing. Rapido’s Ownly is challenging conventional commission structures, while Swiggy has introduced its budget-focused Toing offering. Consumers increasingly expect affordable meals, lower delivery charges and attractive discounts.
A New Growth Opportunity for Flipkart
Food delivery would give Flipkart another reason for customers to open its app regularly, complementing its existing e-commerce, quick-commerce and travel offerings.
For restaurants, a new competitor could create more options for reaching customers and negotiating platform fees. Consumers could benefit from stronger competition, although sustained discounts and lower prices will depend on how the business develops.
Flipkart’s success will ultimately depend on whether it can turn its existing customer reach into repeat food orders while maintaining reliable service and attractive economics.
Summary
Flipkart is testing Eat-in by Minutes, a food-delivery service reportedly involving around 8,000 employees in Bengaluru. The company is targeting a public launch by the end of October 2026 and may expand to five or six cities by year-end. With a reported base commission of around 10%, Flipkart hopes to challenge Zomato and Swiggy by offering restaurants a lower-cost alternative and customers another food-ordering option.
