Mobility platform Rapido has officially launched its standalone food delivery application Ownly across Bengaluru, marking its full-scale entry into India’s highly competitive online food delivery market.

The platform introduces a zero-commission model for restaurants, positioning itself as a more transparent alternative to existing delivery services.

Citywide launch after pilot phase

Rapido’s new app was initially introduced through a limited pilot in August 2025, when it became available on the Google Play Store in selected neighbourhoods such as Koramangala, HSR Layout and BTM Layout.

With the latest expansion, the service now covers the entire city of Bengaluru.

The move signals Rapido’s ambition to compete directly with established players such as Swiggy and Zomato, which currently dominate India’s food delivery ecosystem.

Zero-commission model for restaurants

Unlike many existing platforms that charge commissions on restaurant orders, Ownly has adopted a different approach.

The company said the platform will not charge commission fees to restaurants. Instead, customers will pay a delivery fee that covers logistics and operational costs.

Rapido says this structure promotes what it calls “price honesty,” where consumers pay only for the food and the delivery service without hidden platform fees or inflated menu prices.

Rapido bets on growing food delivery demand

According to Rapido and Ownly founder Aravind Sanka, food delivery is rapidly becoming a part of everyday life for Indian consumers.

He noted that demand is expanding beyond major metropolitan cities and is growing steadily in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities as well.

Sanka said the platform aims to support both small and large restaurant partners through a restaurant-first business model built around transparency and fairness.

Leveraging Rapido’s logistics network

Rapido plans to utilise its existing hyperlocal logistics network, originally built for bike taxis and parcel deliveries, to manage food deliveries.

Orders on Ownly are handled by Rapido’s delivery partners, known as “Captains.”

The company believes this network can help reduce operational costs while improving delivery efficiency.

Competing in a challenging market

India’s online food delivery market is estimated to be worth around $8 billion annually, with Swiggy and Zomato dominating the sector.

However, the industry remains highly competitive and margin-sensitive due to high delivery costs, customer acquisition spending and promotional offers.

Rapido says Ownly will focus on everyday low pricing rather than heavy discounts, and has launched a marketing campaign titled “Food Promise” highlighting issues such as hidden charges in the sector.

Currently, the platform claims to have around 20,000 restaurant partners and is available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Industry observers say the success of Rapido’s zero-commission strategy will depend on whether the platform can maintain sustainable margins while expanding beyond Bengaluru