The rise of online food delivery platforms like Zomato and Swiggy has completely changed the food business in India. These platforms allow customers to easily order food from their favorite restaurants while helping small eateries reach more people online.
However, along with these benefits, some restaurant owners have also started raising concerns about registration fees, commissions, and onboarding policies. Recently, one such issue surfaced on social media when a restaurant owner claimed he was asked to pay the registration fee twice.
This incident quickly caught the attention of many small business owners who depend on food delivery apps for their livelihood.
Restaurant Owner Raises Complaint About Registration Fee
The issue started when a user named Yash Rana shared his concern on social media platform X. He explained that he had already applied to register his restaurant on Zomato and paid a fee of ₹1,299 during the onboarding process.
@zomatocare Dear Zomato Team,
I had completed my restaurant registration and paid ₹1299, but my application got rejected. Now, while trying to re-register, I am being asked to pay ₹1299 again.
Kindly clarify why I need to pay again and help resolve this issue
— 𝕓𝕖𝕣𝕝𝕚𝕟 (@yashrana333) March 31, 2026
According to him, after submitting the application and payment, his restaurant listing was rejected by the platform. When he attempted to apply again, the system asked him to pay the same registration amount once more.
The user questioned why he needed to pay again when he had already paid earlier for the same registration attempt. He also requested the company to clarify the reason and help resolve the issue.
Why Restaurant Registration Is Important on Food Delivery Platforms
Getting listed on a food delivery app is very important for restaurants today. Platforms like Zomato help businesses gain online visibility and attract new customers.
Hi Yash, please share your registered mobile number via DM so we can check this. https://t.co/jcTFuGT2Se
— Zomato Care (@zomatocare) March 31, 2026
Some key benefits of joining such platforms include:
- Access to a large customer base
- Online ordering and delivery support
- Digital marketing visibility
- Increased brand awareness
For many small restaurants, these apps act like a marketing partner without requiring large advertising budgets.
However, the registration process sometimes involves verification, documentation, and a small onboarding fee.
Zomato Responds to the Complaint
After the issue gained attention online, Zomato’s support team responded publicly to the complaint.
In their reply, the company requested the user to send his registered mobile number through direct message so that the team could check the issue internally.
This response suggests that the company wanted to investigate the matter individually rather than giving a generic explanation publicly.
So far, the company has not clearly explained why the second payment request appeared during the re-registration attempt.
Possible Reason Behind the Second Payment Request
Although the exact reason is not confirmed, there could be several technical or policy-related explanations.
Sometimes when an application is rejected due to incomplete documents or verification problems, the system treats the next application as a completely new submission. In such cases, the platform may automatically charge the onboarding fee again.
Another possibility is that the earlier application might have been processed under a different category or account, causing the system to request a fresh payment.
Still, situations like this can create confusion, especially for first-time restaurant owners who are not familiar with digital onboarding processes.
Challenges Faced by Small Restaurant Owners
While online food delivery platforms have opened many opportunities, they also bring certain challenges for restaurant owners.
Some common issues include:
- Platform commission charges
- Delivery logistics dependency
- Registration and onboarding costs
- Competition from thousands of other restaurants
For small businesses working with limited budgets, even a fee of ₹1,299 can matter. That is why transparency in policies and payment systems becomes very important.
Growing Dependence on Food Delivery Apps in India
Over the last few years, India’s food delivery industry has grown rapidly. Platforms like Zomato and Swiggy now operate in hundreds of cities and connect millions of customers with restaurants every day.
This growth has helped many small eateries survive and expand, especially during and after the pandemic when online orders became more common.
However, as the ecosystem grows, companies also need to ensure that their processes remain simple and fair for merchants.
Conclusion
The recent complaint about a restaurant owner being asked to pay ₹1,299 again during re-registration highlights a common problem in digital onboarding systems. While platforms like Zomato have created huge opportunities for restaurants, technical or policy-related issues can sometimes create confusion for business owners.
Zomato has acknowledged the complaint and asked for further details to investigate the matter. It remains to be seen whether the issue was caused by a system error or a policy rule.
For food delivery platforms, clear communication and transparent policies are essential to maintain trust with restaurant partners, especially small businesses that rely heavily on these platforms to grow.
FAQs
Why was the restaurant owner asked to pay ₹1,299 again?
The exact reason has not been officially explained yet. It could be due to the system treating the re-registration as a new application after the earlier one was rejected.
Does Zomato charge a registration fee for restaurants?
Yes, in some cases Zomato charges an onboarding or registration fee during the process of listing a restaurant on the platform.
What did Zomato say about the complaint?
Zomato’s support team asked the user to send his registered mobile number via direct message so they could check the issue internally.
Why do restaurants join food delivery platforms?
Restaurants join platforms like Zomato to reach more customers, increase online visibility, and generate additional sales through food delivery services.
Are small restaurants dependent on food delivery apps today?
Yes, many small restaurants rely on apps like Zomato and Swiggy to attract customers, especially in urban areas where online food ordering is very popular.