Hundreds of restaurants in Bengaluru have warned that they may stop accepting orders from Swiggy and Zomato from August 15 if their long-pending concerns over commissions, discount policies and payment practices are not addressed within the next two weeks.
The restaurant industry says rising operational costs, combined with increasing charges imposed by food delivery platforms, have made it difficult for many businesses to remain profitable.
Restaurants Issue 15-Day Ultimatum
Restaurant owners have given both food delivery platforms a 15-day deadline to resolve multiple issues.
If discussions fail, participating hotels and restaurants have said they will suspend online food delivery through Swiggy and Zomato from August 15, potentially affecting thousands of customers who rely on app-based food delivery services across Bengaluru.
The industry believes the current business model has become financially unsustainable for many establishments.
What Are Restaurants Complaining About?
Restaurant associations have raised several concerns regarding the way food delivery platforms operate.
Among the biggest issues are high commission charges, mandatory participation in deep discount campaigns, platform fees and promotional expenses that restaurants say significantly reduce their profit margins.
Many businesses argue that they are often compelled to offer discounts to remain visible on the platforms, even when such offers negatively impact their earnings.
Restaurant owners are seeking a more transparent pricing structure and fairer commercial terms.
Impact On Customers
If the proposed boycott goes ahead, customers in Bengaluru could temporarily lose access to several restaurants on Swiggy and Zomato.
While diners would still be able to visit restaurants directly or place orders through alternative channels, online food delivery options could become limited if a large number of establishments participate in the protest.
However, both platforms and restaurant associations are expected to continue discussions before the proposed deadline.
Growing Tensions Between Platforms And Restaurants
The latest dispute reflects the increasingly complex relationship between restaurants and food delivery aggregators.
While platforms have helped restaurants reach millions of customers and increase online orders, many businesses argue that commissions, promotional costs and operational charges have steadily increased over the years.
On the other hand, delivery platforms maintain that they invest heavily in technology, logistics, customer acquisition and marketing, all of which contribute to the overall cost of operating their services.
Talks Expected Before Deadline
With the August 15 deadline approaching, industry representatives are hopeful that discussions with Swiggy and Zomato will result in a mutually acceptable solution.
Restaurant associations say their objective is not to disrupt customer services but to create a more sustainable business model that benefits restaurants, delivery platforms and consumers alike.
The coming days are expected to determine whether negotiations succeed or Bengaluru witnesses one of its biggest food delivery disruptions in recent years.
Summary
Restaurants in Bengaluru have warned that they will boycott Swiggy and Zomato from August 15 unless issues related to high commissions, discount policies and platform charges are resolved within 15 days. The proposed boycott could affect online food delivery across the city, although both sides are expected to continue negotiations before the deadline.
