India Online Food Delivery Market Assessment, By Product Type, By Type, By Platform Type, By Business Model, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2018-FY2032F

India online food delivery market is projected to witness a CAGR of 18.58% during the forecast period FY2025 - FY2032, growing from USD 30.81 billion in FY2024 to USD 120.44 billion in FY2032.

The online food delivery market is booming due to changing consumer preferences, tech advancements, and the ease of meal delivery. With more dual-income households and busy lifestyles, the demand for quick restaurant-quality meals without the hassle of cooking has surged. App-based platforms and smartphones make ordering simple, while the pandemic has increased the popularity of contactless delivery. The variety offered, from fast food to healthy options, caters to diverse diets, drawing a broad customer base. Improved delivery logistics and partnerships between restaurants and delivery apps enable businesses to reach more customers, often boosted by targeted discounts and loyalty programs. This sector has become integral to modern consumer behavior, and its growth is expected to continue as technology and delivery networks evolve.

In November 2024, Zomato Private Limited recently launched a "Food Rescue" feature to reduce food wastage by offering canceled orders at unbeatable prices to customers within a 3 km radius. This initiative ensures that perfectly good food that would otherwise be wasted is made available for a short time in its original packaging. The feature compensates restaurants and delivery partners for their efforts while providing customers with affordable options. This approach addresses food wastage and enhances customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, potentially boosting the growth of India's online food delivery market.

Convenience and Lifestyle Changes Fueling Online Food Delivery Market

Convenience and lifestyle changes are significant drivers of growth in India online food delivery market. As people's lives become busier with work, family, and social commitments, many are seeking quick and hassle-free meal solutions, which online food delivery services provide. Instead of spending time cooking or dining out, customers can now order from various restaurants and have meals delivered directly to their homes or workplaces, fitting perfectly into their busy routines. The rise of remote work and digital lifestyles has further boosted demand, as individuals increasingly prefer the comfort and efficiency of enjoying restaurant quality meals without leaving home. This convenience appeals to a broad demographic, from professionals to students and families, fueling the online food delivery market's expansion across different regions and age groups as they prioritize time-saving options that offer flexibility in meal choices.

In October 2024, Bundl Technologies Private Limited launched "Bolt," a service that delivers food within 10 minutes from over 2,700 popular restaurants, operating within a 2 km radius in key cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune. By focusing on quick to prepare and ready-to-pack dishes Bolt aims to provide unmatched convenience without compromising taste and quality. This initiative not only enhances customer satisfaction through rapid delivery but also boosts operational efficiency and market competitiveness, contributing to the growth of India's online food delivery sector by meeting the increasing demand for faster service.

Technology and Smartphone Penetration Drive Market Growth

Technology and smartphone penetration are key factors propelling the growth of India online food delivery market. With the widespread use of smartphones, consumers now have easy access to food delivery apps, making ordering food as simple as a few taps on their screens. High speed internet and reliable mobile networks further support this, enabling fast and seamless transactions and real-time tracking of orders. Many food delivery platforms have also integrated secure one-click payment options and AI-driven personalization, enhancing the user experience by offering tailored restaurant suggestions and discounts based on browsing habits. The rise of digital wallets and mobile payment systems has made online transactions more secure and convenient, encouraging even more users to adopt online ordering. As smartphone use and digital literacy grow worldwide, the accessibility and ease of technology continue to drive demand, opening new opportunities in the online food delivery market across diverse regions.

In October 2023, Rebel Marketplace Private Limited partnered with Bengaluru Football Club on a one-year deal to become the official food delivery partner at Sree Kanteerava Stadium for the Indian Super League season 2023. The partnership will enable EatSure to bring multiple brands, such as Faasos, Oven Story Pizza, Behrouz Biryani, and Wendy's, to the stadium to enhance the dining experience for fans. EatSure aims to engage consumers and drive brand awareness by offering exclusive deals on its app on match days and a range of dining options at home or the stadium. The collaboration will enhance fan experience and drive consumption, leveraging football's popularity and large attendance to boost the online food delivery market in India.

Mobile Application Dominate Online Food Delivery Market

The mobile application is dominating the online food delivery market, which combines convenience, user-centric features, and strategic partnerships with a wide range of local and national restaurants. It leverages real-time tracking of personalized recommendations and an intuitive interface that simplifies the ordering process for users. By offering various payment options, discounts, and loyalty rewards, the app encourages repeat use and customer loyalty. Strong partnerships with delivery providers ensure timely and reliable service, while data-driven insights allow the app to optimize user experience and restaurant options continuously. Its competitive advantage lies in leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance delivery efficiency, often outperforming local rivals in terms of speed and customer satisfaction. The app frequently adapts to market trends, such as eco-friendly packaging and diet-specific options, meeting diverse consumer demands and securing its position as the leading choice in online food delivery.

In June 2024, Ola Electric Mobility Private Limited is set to launch grocery delivery via the Open Network for Digital Commerce, aiming to capture a significant market share in the online food delivery sector. Already processing 15,000-20,000 food orders daily and accounting for 30% of ONDC food orders in key markets like Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru, Ola's entry into grocery delivery is expected to leverage its logistics expertise and enhance consumer convenience. This move will likely drive growth in India's online food delivery market by expanding service offerings and improving delivery efficiency.

South Region Dominates India Online Food Delivery Market Share

South India dominates the Indian online food delivery market owing to its diverse and vibrant food culture, attracting a large customer base. As the region is rapidly urbanizing, with cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai becoming key tech and business hubs, there is a high demand for convenient food delivery services among working professionals. The early adoption of technology and widespread use of smartphones in the region supports the growth of food delivery platforms as South Indians tend to order local dishes such as dosa, biryani, and idli through apps. Big players like Swiggy and Zomato focus on these cities by investing in logistics and customer engagement. This combination of cultural diversity, urban density, and tech-savvy consumers gives South India an edge in this space.

In November 2023, Pizza Hut, LLC, operated by Sapphire Foods, implemented Dragontail, an AI-based kitchen management system, to combat declining sales due to inflation. This system optimizes delivery by tracking the delivery partner's whereabouts, ensuring pizzas are cooked and dispatched at the optimal time for freshness. As the first in the Indian fast-food market to adopt such advanced technology, this initiative aims to improve customer satisfaction and operational efficiency, potentially boosting the growth of India's online food delivery market by providing a more reliable and appealing service.

Future Market Scenario (FY2025 - FY2032F)

Larger players may continue acquiring smaller companies resulting in a more consolidated market leading to fewer options but improved efficiencies, economies of scale, and wider reach.

With the rise of dark kitchens and hyper-localized delivery, many companies may offer even faster delivery services, aiming for deliveries within 10-15 minutes. This quick commerce trend may focus on high-demand items like snacks, drinks, and meal essentials.

As environmental concerns grow, online food delivery companies may invest in sustainable practices such as eco-friendly packaging, carbon offsetting, and electric delivery vehicles. Some may even promote locally sourced food options to reduce their environmental impact.

AI-powered recommendations and autonomous delivery vehicles (drones, robots) may become more common. AI could optimize routes, predict customer preferences, and help personalize marketing, while automation would reduce delivery costs and increase scalability.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Companies in Indian online food delivery market are leveraging technology, expanding partnerships, and adapting to consumer demands to stay competitive. Many are investing in AI and data analytics to personalize recommendations and streamline logistics ensuring quicker, more efficient deliveries. Partnerships with local restaurants, grocers and even "ghost kitchens" help broaden menu offerings while reducing operational costs. Major players are focusing on regional expansion and offering multilingual support to reach a wider audience. Some platforms also include loyalty programs, discounts and subscription services to enhance customer retention. Companies are integrating eco-friendly practices like reducing packaging waste to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers with the rise of mobile ordering their optimizing app interfaces for better user experiences and convenience.

In June 2023, Jubilant FoodWorks Limited introduced Pinpoint Delivery, allowing customers to receive orders almost anywhere by dropping a pin on the map via Domino's app. This innovative service enhances delivery convenience by enabling orders to be delivered to dynamic locations like parks and beaches. Quick service restaurants in the U.S. to offer such a service, Domino's continues to leverage technology to improve customer experiences. This innovation can boost the growth of India's online food delivery market by setting new standards for convenience and accessibility, potentially attracting more customers and increasing market demand.