BigBasket to launch 10-minute food delivery nationwide by FY26, eyes Zomato and Swiggy users: Report

BigBasket, supported by the Tata Group, is gearing up to make a significant move into India’s fast-paced food delivery market. The company plans to introduce a nationwide service that promises to deliver meals in just 10 minutes by the end of the fiscal year 2026. This ambitious initiative will position BigBasket in direct competition with industry giants like Zomato and Swiggy, as well as quick-commerce players such as Blinkit and Zepto. Vipul Parekh, co-founder of BigBasket, shared insights with Reuters about the strategy, emphasizing a dual focus on attracting current users of food delivery apps and capturing new customers who desire quicker access to snacks and meals. "We aim to meet existing demand while also attracting new consumers," Parekh stated. To facilitate this service, BigBasket will leverage its extensive network of dark stores—hyperlocal fulfillment centers designed for efficient order processing. The company plans to scale its dark store locations from 700 to between 1,000 and 1,200 by the close of 2025. This expansion follows the success of a pilot program launched in Bengaluru last month, with plans to operate out of 40 dark stores by the end of July. Currently, between 5 to 10 percent of customers utilizing this service are combining fast-food selections with their grocery orders, a trend expected to grow as the service expands. Notably, BigBasket's menu will exclusively feature products from Tata Group-affiliated brands, including well-known names like Starbucks and Qmin, the gourmet food segment of Indian Hotels. At this stage, the company has no intentions of partnering with external restaurants. The quick commerce sector in India, now valued at $7.1 billion (approximately ₹60,722 crore), is recognized as the fastest-growing area of the country’s digital economy, according to a recent report by Blume Ventures. With competitors like Blinkit launching Bistro, Zepto introducing Zepto Cafe, and Swiggy operating Snacc, the landscape is becoming increasingly competitive. Despite the intensifying rivalry, BigBasket is not currently pursuing external investment. Parekh noted, "One of our strengths is the internal capital available to us through the Tata Group," effectively dismissing speculation regarding a funding round. The company is also on track to file for an initial public offering (IPO) within the next 18 to 24 months.