Ride-hailing platform Rapido has entered the food delivery space with the launch of Ownly, a new app that promises a zero-commission model for restaurants. The service has now been rolled out across Bengaluru, marking Rapido’s official entry into India’s competitive food delivery market dominated by players such as Swiggy and Zomato.
The company positions Ownly as a “restaurant-first” platform, designed to address complaints from eateries about high commissions and hidden charges in existing delivery ecosystems.
Zero Commission for Restaurants
The biggest difference between Ownly and other delivery apps is its zero-commission policy. Restaurants using the platform are not charged any percentage on orders, unlike traditional platforms where commissions can range between 16% and 30%.
Instead, the app follows a transparent model where customers pay only the cost of the food and a delivery fee that covers logistics expenses.
This approach aims to ensure restaurants can offer lower menu prices and better profit margins while avoiding the inflated pricing that sometimes appears on other delivery platforms.
Pilot Project Before Citywide Launch
Before expanding citywide, Rapido tested Ownly through a pilot program in Bengaluru neighborhoods such as Koramangala, HSR Layout, and BTM Layout.
The pilot helped the company refine logistics, pricing models and restaurant partnerships. Following positive feedback from both customers and restaurant owners, Rapido decided to roll out the service across the entire city.
How the Pricing Model Works
Ownly’s pricing structure focuses on simplicity and transparency.
- Restaurants pay a small fixed platform fee instead of commission.
- Customers pay an honest delivery charge that reflects the cost of logistics.
- Menu prices remain consistent with offline restaurant pricing to avoid markups.
The model is designed to eliminate hidden charges, surge fees and artificial discounts that often distort pricing on other platforms.
Leveraging Rapido’s Delivery Network
One of Ownly’s key advantages is Rapido’s existing logistics infrastructure. The company plans to use its large fleet of bike taxi riders—known as “Captains”—to manage food deliveries efficiently.
By leveraging this network, Rapido hopes to reduce operational costs and offer competitive delivery times and prices.
Challenging the Food Delivery Duopoly
India’s food delivery market has long been dominated by Swiggy and Zomato. Rapido’s entry introduces a new competitive model that prioritizes restaurant profitability and transparent pricing.
Industry experts say the success of Ownly in Bengaluru could determine whether zero-commission delivery platforms can scale profitably in India’s fast-growing online food ordering market.
Bottom line:
With Ownly, Rapido is attempting to disrupt India’s food delivery industry by shifting from commission-driven platforms to a transparent, restaurant-friendly model. If the experiment succeeds in Bengaluru, the company may expand the service to other major cities.
