More woes for food lovers as Zomato hikes platform fee

Zomato, the food delivery service owned by Eternal, has announced an increase in its platform fee, raising it to Rs 14.90 per order. This marks a 19% surge from the previous fee of Rs 12.50, as reported on the app. The recent hike of Rs 2.40 comes at a time when escalating crude oil prices are putting additional strain on delivery and logistics expenses. This increase could have significant implications for both Zomato's restaurant partners and the gig workers who rely on the platform for their income. Originally introduced in 2023, the platform fee is a fixed charge applied to every order, aimed at improving profit margins for the company. Since its inception, both Zomato and its competitor Swiggy have gradually raised this fee. This story is still unfolding, and further developments are anticipated.