Zomato is reportedly introducing a ₹5 fee on cash-on-delivery orders as part of its latest monetisation push.
The move comes as food-delivery platforms continue to explore new ways to increase revenue from consumer-facing charges. Zomato has also been raising its platform fee, which stood at ₹14.90 per order in March 2026.
For customers who prefer paying in cash, even a small additional charge could make online payment options more attractive.
Zomato has started charging customers ₹5 on cash-on-delivery orders, in what appears to be the latest move by the food-delivery platform to increase monetisation from its customer base.
The additional fee applies to customers who choose to pay for their food orders in cash instead of using digital payment methods. While ₹5 may seem like a small amount, the move could encourage more customers to opt for online payments and help Zomato generate an additional stream of revenue.
Zomato Expands Its Monetisation Strategy
Food-delivery platforms have increasingly been looking at multiple revenue streams beyond commissions earned from restaurants. Platform fees, delivery charges and other customer-facing fees have become an important part of the business model.
Zomato has also been adjusting its platform fee structure over the past year. The company has been experimenting with different charges as it looks to improve the economics of its food-delivery business.
The ₹5 cash-on-delivery charge comes against this broader backdrop of increasing monetisation across India’s online food-delivery sector.
Why Charge Customers for Cash Payments?
Cash payments can involve additional operational costs for businesses, including cash collection, handling and reconciliation. Digital payments, on the other hand, allow transactions to be processed electronically and can simplify the payment process.
The new fee could therefore serve two purposes: generating incremental revenue while also encouraging customers to shift towards digital payment methods.
For frequent Zomato users, however, the additional charge could add to the overall cost of ordering food, particularly when combined with other applicable fees.
What It Means for Customers
The impact of the new charge will likely depend on how frequently customers use cash on delivery. For someone placing occasional orders, ₹5 may have little impact. But for regular users, multiple small charges can gradually increase the total cost of food delivery.
The move also highlights how food-delivery companies are increasingly looking at individual components of the customer journey to find opportunities for monetisation.
The Bigger Picture
India’s food-delivery market has become highly competitive, with companies focusing not only on growing order volumes but also on improving profitability.
As the sector matures, customers may see more changes in pricing structures, including platform fees, delivery charges and payment-related fees.
Zomato’s ₹5 cash-on-delivery charge is relatively small, but it reflects a broader shift in the industry: food-delivery platforms are looking for new ways to monetise every part of the ordering experience while moving towards more sustainable business models.
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