Zomato Tests Food Vending Machines at Gurugram Offices in New Quick-Food Delivery Push

Zomato is testing a new approach to quick food delivery by installing fresh-food vending machines at corporate workplaces in Gurugram, according to a report by ETtech.

The pilot, reportedly called Zomato Now, is aimed at providing employees with faster access to food without requiring a traditional delivery trip from a restaurant to the workplace.

Zomato Now Brings Food Pods to Offices

Under the pilot initiative, Zomato is reportedly installing fresh-food pods and vending machines at selected corporate offices in Gurugram.

The machines are being introduced in partnership with food and restaurant brands, allowing employees at participating workplaces to purchase food directly from the machines.

The initiative is currently limited to a small number of corporate locations as Zomato evaluates the model.

How Zomato's Food Vending Machine Model Works

Unlike conventional food delivery, where an order is prepared at a restaurant and delivered by a rider, the new model places food closer to consumers before they even order it.

Employees at participating offices can access food available inside the vending machines, potentially reducing delivery times and making the process more convenient during working hours.

The model could also help Zomato experiment with new ways of serving high-density office locations.

Zomato Enters the Rapid Food Delivery Race

The Zomato Now experiment comes as competition in India's quick food delivery market continues to intensify.

Zomato's parent company Eternal has previously explored rapid food delivery, while its sister company Blinkit operates Bistro, a fast-food delivery service supported by dedicated cloud kitchens.

The company has therefore been exploring multiple models to make food delivery faster and more accessible.

Competition From Swiggy and Rapido

Zomato isn't the only company experimenting with faster food delivery.

Swiggy has operated rapid-delivery initiatives including Bolt, which focuses on selected restaurants and limited menus. Swiggy has also introduced Toing for the segment.

Meanwhile, mobility company Rapido has entered food delivery with its own platform, Ownly.

The growing competition indicates that India's food-tech companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional 30- to 40-minute delivery models.

What Could Zomato Now Mean for Customers?

If the pilot succeeds, food vending machines could become another way for Zomato to serve corporate offices, campuses and other high-density locations.

The biggest advantage could be speed, as food would already be positioned at the workplace instead of being transported after every individual order.

However, factors such as food freshness, inventory management, product selection and demand forecasting will determine whether the model can scale successfully.

Zomato has reportedly not publicly commented on the pilot so far.