A new controversy sparked debate around the actual price of a dish and price shown on food delivery apps like Zomato after an X user Nalini Unagar exposed a staggering price gap between a restaurant’s direct bill and Zomato’s listing.
Sharing evidence on X, she showed that a meal costing ₹320 at the restaurant was listed for ₹655 on the delivery app, a markup of over 100 per cent. Even with a “generous” discount of ₹105, the final amount remained ₹550, leaving the customer to pay ₹230 more than the walk-in price.
Zomato responded by stating they are an intermediary and do not control restaurant-set prices, while netizens have slammed the platform for hidden costs and high commissions.
Viral Price Shock
The controversy began when Nalini Unagar ordered a meal consisting of Veg Manchurian and Chinese Bhel. Upon receiving a physical takeaway bill from the restaurant, she noticed the items were priced at ₹160 each, totalling ₹320.
However, the Zomato app listed these same items at a significantly higher base price before adding taxes and fees. This discrepancy is a growing trend where restaurants inflate their online menus to absorb the 25 to 35 per cent commission fees charged by delivery giants.
This “silent inflation” often catches consumers off guard, leading to a sense of distrust in digital food ecosystems.
Marketing Gimmicks?
One of the most frustrating aspects highlighted by the post was the deceptive nature of app discounts. Unagar pointed out that although she was offered a “Gold” discount and promotional coupons totalling ₹105, the “final” price of ₹550 was still nearly 72 per cent higher than the actual cost of the food.
This has led many to question whether “festive offers” and “mega deals” are merely psychological tools used to mask inflated base prices.
Social media users have since shared similar experiences, suggesting that the convenience of doorstep delivery is being used to justify predatory pricing models that hurt both pocket and sentiment.
Zomato’s Defense
In a swift response to the viral thread, Zomato’s customer care team reiterated their standing policy. They clarified that as a technology platform, they do not have a say in the pricing of menu items, which is handled entirely by the restaurant partners.
“We act as a bridge between the customer and the eatery,” the company stated, shifting the responsibility of price parity to the vendors. However, industry experts argue that high platform fees leave restaurants with no choice but to hike prices, effectively making the “intermediary” the primary driver of the cost increase for the end-user.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that transparency is the cornerstone of any ethical business model. While digital convenience and the gig economy have transformed our lives, they must not thrive on hidden markups that exploit consumer trust.
When a “discounted” meal still costs significantly more than its original value, the very concept of a fair market is undermined. We advocate for a more transparent billing system where platform fees are shown separately from food costs, ensuring that customers know exactly what they are paying for.
