A viral post has set social media abuzz after a woman revealed how she dodged Zomato and Swiggy platform fees by using Rapido and Uber instead. Shared on 23 September 2025, the trending news quickly sparked debate across India about food delivery costs, safety, and the rising platform fees on major Indian food apps.
How the Viral Hack Works
According to the now-viral post, the woman ordered meals directly from her favourite restaurant, asked the kitchen to pack them securely, and then booked a bike ride through Rapido or a cab through Uber to collect the order. She claimed this method was cheaper than paying delivery fees on food delivery platforms like Zomato and Swiggy.
Screenshots of her cost comparison showed savings of up to 25%, which many users said was significant as platform fees continue to rise.
Social Media Reactions Divide Internet Users
The trending news quickly reached X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Reddit. Some praised the idea as a clever way to cut costs amid high inflation. Others raised concerns about food safety, arguing that riders from ride-hailing services are not trained for food delivery.
One popular comment read, “Great for saving money, but who ensures hygiene if the driver doesn’t follow food safety guidelines?” Another user added that this could hurt restaurants reliant on Indian food apps for consistent orders.
Zomato, Swiggy Respond to Growing Concerns
While Zomato and Swiggy have not issued formal statements on the specific viral post, industry experts note that both companies rely on platform fees to maintain operations and pay delivery partners. Recent quarterly reports show that these fees account for a rising share of revenue as the cost of logistics climbs.
Market analysts suggest that if more customers adopt such workarounds, food delivery platforms could face revenue pressure and may tighten rules to discourage third-party pick-ups.
Cost Saving vs. Food Safety
Food safety specialists caution that bypassing official delivery channels removes an important layer of accountability. “If something goes wrong—spillage, contamination—neither the restaurant nor the ride-hailing company is clearly responsible,” said Delhi-based nutrition consultant Riya Menon.
However, supporters argue that cost saving is essential in a time of high service charges, noting that Uber and Rapido drivers already handle parcels and grocery deliveries.
Why Platform Fees Keep Rising
Industry data show that Indian food apps like Zomato and Swiggy have increased their platform fees by 15–20% over the past year to offset higher fuel prices and rider incentives. For many urban customers, this means an additional ₹25–₹40 per order.
Economist Karan Bhatt explains, “As wages and fuel costs rise, these companies pass the expense to consumers. Hacks like this woman’s highlight public frustration.”
Possible Impact on Delivery Platforms
Experts predict that such trends could push companies to introduce stricter order-pickup verification or to offer lower-fee subscription plans. Trending news like this often triggers pilot programs, as seen when other cost-saving hacks went viral in past years.
Restaurants may also adjust, offering direct phone or website ordering with in-house riders to retain customers who wish to avoid extra charges.
Key Takeaways for Consumers
For now, nothing stops customers from calling a restaurant and arranging their own transport. But users should weigh cost saving against reliability and food safety.
Financial advisor Meera Joshi advises, “If you try this, confirm the restaurant seals the package and keep digital receipts for proof of purchase.”
This trending news story shows how creative consumers are becoming to sidestep rising platform fees on food delivery services. Whether it pushes Zomato, Swiggy, or other Indian food apps to rethink pricing remains to be seen, but it underscores how quickly everyday hacks can challenge big platforms.
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