Flipkart is reportedly preparing to enter India’s competitive online food delivery market by launching Eat-in by Minutes by the end of October 2026. The Walmart-owned e-commerce company has expanded internal testing in Bengaluru to more than 8,000 employees and is building a dedicated delivery operation through its logistics arm, Ekart.
The proposed service could put Flipkart in direct competition with Zomato and Swiggy. However, the company has yet to formally confirm the public launch date, final restaurant commission structure or rollout schedule.
According to TechCrunch’s report published on October 19, the service is being tested with employees and appears as a separate tab within Flipkart’s main shopping application. The report also identifies the use of the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and restaurants onboarded directly by Flipkart.
Flipkart Expands Eat-in by Minutes Trials in Bengaluru
Flipkart’s food delivery pilot has reportedly expanded from an initial group of a few hundred employees to more than 8,000 staff members in Bengaluru.
The employee-only trial provides an opportunity to test ordering, restaurant listings and delivery operations before the service is opened to the wider public. Delivery riders wearing Eat-in by Minutes branding have also reportedly started fulfilling trial orders in the city.
Unlike a standalone food delivery application, the service is expected to operate as a dedicated section within Flipkart’s existing shopping app, alongside Flipkart Minutes and its travel-booking offering.
This approach could help Flipkart introduce the service to an existing customer base without requiring users to download a separate application. Whether that convenience translates into regular food orders will depend on restaurant selection, pricing, delivery reliability and the overall ordering experience.
ONDC and Direct Restaurant Partnerships Could Expand Choice
Eat-in by Minutes is reportedly sourcing restaurant listings through two channels: ONDC and restaurants onboarded directly by Flipkart.
ONDC is a government-backed digital commerce network designed to connect buyers and sellers across different platforms. Its inclusion could help broaden the range of restaurants available through the new service, while direct partnerships give Flipkart another route to build its restaurant network.
The model also creates an opportunity to attract restaurant owners looking for alternatives to established food delivery aggregators.
However, the breadth of the restaurant catalogue, the availability of individual outlets and the commercial terms offered to restaurant partners have not been fully disclosed.
Flipkart Reportedly Proposes a 10% Base Commission
One of the most significant aspects of Flipkart’s proposed entry is its reported commission structure.
Sagar Daryani, president of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and co-founder and CEO of Wow! Momo Foods, told TechCrunch that Flipkart had proposed a base commission of approximately 10%, compared with the reported 20% to 25% typically charged by Zomato and Swiggy.
Daryani also said that advertising, discounts and promotional expenses can push restaurants’ overall costs on established platforms to 40%–50% of an order’s value. He expects Flipkart’s total costs for restaurant partners could be closer to 15%–16%.
These figures are expectations reported by an industry representative, not a published Flipkart tariff or a guarantee of savings for every restaurant.
The distinction matters because a platform’s base commission is only one part of the commercial arrangement. Advertising fees, promotional contributions, delivery charges and other contractual expenses can affect how much a restaurant ultimately earns from each order.
If the proposed model delivers lower overall costs, it could make Flipkart attractive to restaurants operating with tight margins. The final impact will depend on its actual partner agreements and the number of orders restaurants receive.
Flipkart vs Zomato and Swiggy: What Could Make the Difference?
Flipkart would enter a market dominated by established platforms with extensive restaurant networks, consumer recognition and years of experience managing food delivery operations.
Its main advantage could be the infrastructure it already operates. The company can potentially use its existing app, large customer base and logistics capabilities to introduce food ordering to shoppers familiar with its services.
According to TechCrunch, Ekart is building a delivery fleet specifically for food orders, separate from the riders handling Flipkart Minutes deliveries. That separation may help the company manage the distinct operational requirements of delivering prepared meals.
Nevertheless, food delivery presents challenges that differ from e-commerce and quick commerce. Orders must reach consumers at the right temperature, within reasonable timeframes and with reliable handling of cancellations, refunds and complaints.
Customer acquisition is another challenge. Bernstein estimates, as reported by TechCrunch, that operational efficiencies could enable new entrants to save consumers around ₹20–₹30 per order. Such savings may help attract price-conscious customers, but they may not be sufficient to persuade established users to switch platforms regularly.
Flipkart will need to provide a compelling combination of prices, restaurant choice, delivery performance and customer service rather than relying on its existing audience alone.
New Competition Is Reshaping India’s Food Delivery Market
Flipkart will not be the only challenger seeking to change how restaurants and customers use food delivery platforms.
Rapido has been expanding Ownly, a food delivery service that charges restaurants zero commission, while Swiggy has introduced Toing, a separate offering targeting customers seeking more affordable meals.
These developments point to growing competition around restaurant commissions, discounts and value-conscious ordering.
For restaurant businesses, additional platforms could create more opportunities to reach customers and negotiate commercial terms. However, joining multiple platforms also requires resources to manage menus, inventory, packaging, order fulfilment and customer feedback.
For consumers, more competition could lead to new offers and pricing options. The actual benefit will depend on the total checkout price, including delivery charges and other applicable fees, rather than advertised discounts alone.
Flipkart Plans Expansion to Five or Six Cities
After its proposed Bengaluru launch, Flipkart reportedly intends to expand Eat-in by Minutes to five or six cities by the end of 2026.
Daryani told TechCrunch that restaurant partners had been informed of the expected public launch and expansion plans. The specific cities, however, have not been officially announced by Flipkart.
A phased rollout would allow the company to evaluate demand and operational performance before entering additional markets. Delivery density, the availability of restaurant partners and the ability to maintain service quality are likely to influence how quickly the service can expand.
Flipkart’s performance in Bengaluru will therefore be an important indicator of whether the company can build a sustainable business beyond its existing e-commerce and quick-commerce operations.
What Restaurants and Digital Marketers Should Watch
The reported entry of Flipkart into food delivery could create new opportunities for restaurants and businesses involved in digital customer acquisition.
For restaurant owners, the immediate priority should be to compare the complete economics of each platform. A lower headline commission does not automatically guarantee higher profits if order volumes remain low or additional marketing and operational expenses offset the savings.
Digital marketers should also watch how Flipkart positions the service to its existing customers. In-app discovery, introductory offers, repeat-order incentives and customer retention campaigns could play a significant role in encouraging adoption.
For brands and restaurant chains, the key performance indicators will include customer acquisition cost, repeat purchase rate, average order value, contribution margin and the cost of promotions.
The service could also become an important test of how effectively a large e-commerce company can cross-sell a new category to existing users. However, sustained engagement will depend on the experience customers receive after the first discounted order.
What Has Flipkart Officially Confirmed?
As of October 21, 2026, the reported rollout remains subject to confirmation.
Flipkart has not publicly confirmed the exact consumer launch date, the final commission rates or the specific cities planned for expansion. TechCrunch reported that the company did not respond to its request for comment.
The name Eat-in by Minutes, the expanded employee trial, the separate Ekart fleet and the proposed restaurant commission structure are based on media reporting. They should not be treated as a complete set of officially published product or commercial terms.
The distinction is important for restaurants evaluating partnership opportunities and customers waiting for the service to become available.
Conclusion: Flipkart’s Food Delivery Ambitions Face an Execution Test
Flipkart’s reported plan to launch Eat-in by Minutes could introduce another major competitor to India’s online food delivery market. Its existing shopping application, logistics infrastructure and proposed lower restaurant commission could help it establish an initial foothold.
But market entry is not the same as market share. Flipkart will need to prove that it can deliver reliably, offer meaningful value to customers and provide sustainable economics for restaurant partners.
The expected October-end launch will be the next major milestone to watch, followed by the company’s reported plan to expand to five or six cities before the end of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Flipkart’s new food delivery service called?
The service is reportedly called Eat-in by Minutes. It is being tested as a separate tab within the main Flipkart shopping app.
2. When will Flipkart food delivery launch in India?
Media reports indicate that Flipkart is targeting a public launch by the end of October 2026. The company has not officially confirmed the date.
3. How many employees are testing Eat-in by Minutes?
The internal trial in Bengaluru has reportedly expanded to more than 8,000 Flipkart employees.
4. What commission could Flipkart charge restaurants?
NRAI president Sagar Daryani told TechCrunch that Flipkart had proposed a base commission of around 10%. The final commercial terms have not been officially published.
5. Will Eat-in by Minutes compete with Zomato and Swiggy?
Yes. The reported service would compete directly with the established food delivery platforms, using Flipkart’s existing app and a dedicated delivery fleet.
6. Which delivery network will handle Flipkart food orders?
The company is reportedly using Ekart, its logistics arm, with a dedicated fleet separate from the riders handling Flipkart Minutes orders.
7. Which cities will Flipkart food delivery expand to?
The company reportedly plans to reach five or six cities by the end of 2026, following its initial rollout plans in Bengaluru. The additional cities have not been officially named.
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