A proposed overhaul of the popular Zomato Gold dining program has met with strong resistance from restaurant associations across India. The revised terms increase the mandatory discount contribution expected from partner venues and alter payouts on table reservation deposits.
Restaurant owners complain that commission-heavy programs squeeze margins to the point where dine-in sales lose profitability. In response, local chapters are urging restaurants to promote direct QR codes, WhatsApp menus, and independent POS systems.
The push for direct consumer relationships is gaining ground. Over 1,200 restaurants in major cities have started running exclusive promotions for customers who order directly through their website or scan in-house table QR codes.
This shift away from aggregator dependency is leading to significant savings on commissions, allowing restaurants to offer better prices to customers while keeping 100% of their transaction value.
"Aggregators should be discovery channels, not permanent rent-collectors on our existing customers. Direct-to-consumer software is the only sustainable exit path."
— Rahul Bajaj, Restaurant Association Representative