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{{short description|Indian multinational Food delivery platform}}
{{short description|Indian food delivery service}}
{{About|the food delivery service|its owner, formerly known as Zomato Limited|Eternal Limited}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox company
{{Infobox website
| name = Zomato
| name = Zomato
| logo = Zomato logo.png
| logo = Zomato Logo.svg
| dissolved =
| location = [[Gurugram]], [[Haryana]], India
| location = [[Gurugram]], [[Haryana]], [[India]]
| founder = {{ubl|Deepinder Goyal|Pankaj Chaddah}}
| founder = {{hlist|Deepinder Goyal|Pankaj Chaddah|Gunjan Patidar|Gaurav Gupta|Mohit Gupta|Akriti Chopra}}<ref name=mittal1>{{Cite news |title=Zomato elevates Akriti Chopra as co-founder ahead of IPO |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/zomato-appoints-akriti-chopra-as-co-founder-ahead-of-ipo/articleshow/83364153.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210804152958/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/zomato-appoints-akriti-chopra-as-co-founder-ahead-of-ipo/articleshow/83364153.cms |archive-date=4 August 2021 |date=9 June 2021 |work=Economic Times |last=Mittal |first=Apoorva |quote=Started in 2008 by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah, Zomato at present has four co-founders— Goyal, Gunjan Patidar, Gaurav Gupta and Mohit Gupta. Chopra now joins this bunch. Chaddah left the company in 2018.}}</ref><ref name=soni1>{{Cite news |title=Ahead of $1.1B IPO, Zomato elevates former CFO Akriti Chopra as co-founder, chief people officer  |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/ahead-of-1-1b-ipo-zomato-elevates-former-cfo-akriti-chopra-as-co-founder-chief-people-officer/2268366/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210804152939/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/ahead-of-1-1b-ipo-zomato-elevates-former-cfo-akriti-chopra-as-co-founder-chief-people-officer/2268366/ |archive-date=4 August 2021 |date=9 June 2021 |work=Financial Express |last=Soni |first=Sandeep |quote=Before Chopra, Zomato had elevated its COO Gaurav Gupta and food delivery head Mohit Gupta as co-founders in March 2019 and May 2020 respectively. Zomato has another co-founder Gunjan Patidar who is currently the CTO. Pankaj Chaddah, who had launched Zomato along with Goyal, had left the company in 2018.}}</ref>
| type = [[Online food ordering]]
| traded_as = {{Unbulleted list|{{BSE|543320}}|{{NSE|ZOMATO}}}}
| ISIN = INE758T01015
| industry = [[Online food ordering]]
| products =  
| products =  
| services = [[Food delivery]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Zomato, Swiggy launch alcohol delivery service in Odisha |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/zomato-swiggy-launch-alcohol-delivery-service-in-odisha/1971433/ |work=The Financial Express |date=27 May 2020}}</ref>
| services = {{Unbulleted list|[[Food delivery]]|[[Table reservation]]|[[Local search (Internet)|Local search]]}}
| owner = [[Info Edge]] (18.6%)<br />[[Uber]] (9.1%)<br />[[Alipay|Alipay Singapore]] (8.3%)<br />[[Ant Group|Antfin Singapore]] (8.2%)<ref>{{cite news |title=Zomato Limited - DRHP |url=https://www.sebi.gov.in/filings/public-issues/apr-2021/zomato-limited-drhp_49956.html |access-date=28 April 2021 |work=sebi.gov.in}}</ref>
| owner = [[Eternal Limited]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.zomato.com|zomato.com}}
| website = {{official URL}}
| footnotes =  
| footnotes =  
| company_type = [[Publicly held company|Public]]
| former_name = FoodieBay (2008–2010)
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2008|07}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2008|07|10|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Nandini |title=Zomato celebrates '16th janamdin' with unique ad, Paytm CEO joins the party |url=https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/zomato-celebrates-16th-janamdin-with-unique-ad-paytm-ceo-joins-the-party-124071000413_1.html |work=Business Standard |date=10 July 2024}}</ref>
| area_served = Worldwide
| area_served = India
| key_people = {{ubl| Deepinder Goyal <small>(CEO)</small> |Gaurav Gupta <small>(COO)</small>}}
| key_people = {{ubl| Deepinder Goyal<br /><small>(CEO & MD)</small>|}}
| num_employees = 5,000+ <ref>{{cite news |last1=Alawadhi |first1=Neha |title=Zomato lays off 500 employees, slashes salaries as CEO blames coronavirus |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/covid-19-impact-zomato-to-cut-13-jobs-asks-for-organisation-wide-paycuts-120051500765_1.html |work=Business Standard India |date=15 May 2020}}</ref>
| revenue = {{up}} {{INRconvert|9418|c|lk=on}} (FY25)<ref>{{cite web |title=Shareholders' Letter and Results - Q4FY25 |url=https://b.zmtcdn.com/investor-relations/d9c290cd23764a09789769c39682276a_1746094084.pdf |publisher=Eternal Limited |access-date=22 June 2025}}</ref>
| subsid =  
| revenue = {{increase}} {{INRconvert|2486|c}} (2020)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Peermohamed |first1=Alnoor |title=Zomato's revenue nearly doubles, loss widens 160% in 2019-20 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/zomatos-revenue-nearly-doubles-loss-widens-160-in-2019-20/articleshow/80099897.cms |access-date=8 March 2021 |work=The Economic Times |date=4 January 2021}}</ref>
| operating_income =
| net_income = {{negative increase}} {{INRconvert|-2451|c}} (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-04|title=Zomato’s FY20 losses swell to Rs 2,451 cr while revenue jumps 98% ahead of likely IPO in 2021|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/zomatos-fy20-losses-swell-330-while-revenue-jumps-84-ahead-of-likely-ipo-in-2021/2163889/|access-date=2021-05-06|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''Zomato''' ({{IPAc-en|z|oʊ|m|ɑː|t|oʊ}}) is an Indian [[Multinational corporation|multinational]] restaurant aggregator and [[food delivery]] company founded by Deepinder Goyal, Pankaj Chaddah,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/zomato-co-founder-pankaj-chaddah-quits-as-it-shuffles-top-management/articleshow/63129470.cms|publisher=[[The Economic Times|Economic Times]]|title=Zomato co-founder Pankaj Chaddah quits as it shuffles top management|access-date=2020-04-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiainfoline.com/article/research-leader-speak/deepinder-goyal-founder-ceo-zomato-113111404451_1.html|title=Deepinder Goyal, Founder & CEO, Zomato|website=www.indiainfoline.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-05}}</ref> and Gunjan Patidar in 2008.{{r|soni1}}{{r|mittal1}} Zomato provides information, menus and user-reviews of restaurants as well as food delivery options from partner restaurants in select cities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/zomato-forays-into-grocery-delivery-in-talks-to-partner-with-grofers-bigbasket/74719832|title=Zomato forays into grocery delivery, in talks to partner with Grofers & BigBasket - ETtech|last=www.ETtech.com|website=ETtech.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-26}}</ref> {{As of|2019||df=}}, the service is available in 24 countries and in more than 10,000 cities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zomato.com/about|title=About Zomato|website=zomato.com}}</ref>
'''Zomato''' ({{IPAc-en|z|oʊ|ˈ|m|æ|ˈ|t|oʊ}} or {{IPAc-en|z|oʊ|ˈ|m|ɑː|ˈ|t|oʊ}})<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2023 |title=How does one pronounce 'Zomato'? CEO Deepinder Goyal says... |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/how-does-one-pronounce-zomato-ceo-deepinder-goyal-says-11681057861859.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417105552/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/how-does-one-pronounce-zomato-ceo-deepinder-goyal-says-11681057861859.html |archive-date=17 April 2023 |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=Mint}}</ref> is an Indian [[online food ordering]] and [[food delivery|delivery]] service owned by [[Eternal Limited]]. Created in 2008 by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah, it began as a [[Review aggregator|restaurant aggregator]], providing menu information, user reviews, and recommendations, and expanding to more than 20 countries by 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Khosla |first1=Varuni |last2=Srinivasan |first2=Supraja |title=Zomato co-founder Pankaj Chaddah quits as it shuffles top management |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/zomato-co-founder-pankaj-chaddah-quits-as-it-shuffles-top-management/articleshow/63129470.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512073221/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/zomato-co-founder-pankaj-chaddah-quits-as-it-shuffles-top-management/articleshow/63129470.cms |archive-date=12 May 2021 |access-date=2020-04-09 |work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> In 2015, Zomato entered the food delivery market in India, which soon after became its core business.
 
As of 2023, Zomato provided food delivery and table reservation options in more than 800 Indian cities, with restaurant discovery services limited to the UAE following its exit from other international markets.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Krishna |first1=Tanya |title=Zomato delivered 647 million orders worth Rs 263.1 billion across 800 cities during FY23, says Rakesh Ranjan |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/industry-zomato-delivered-647-million-orders-worth-rs-263-1-billion-across-800-cities-during-fy23-says-rakesh-ranjan-3291075/ |access-date=22 March 2025 |work=Financial Express |date=30 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Availability of Zomato.svg|thumb|300px|left|Countries where Zomato operates.]]
=== Early years (2008–2010) ===
Zomato was founded as ''Foodiebay'' in 2008, and was renamed ''Zomato'' on 18 January 2010 as Zomato Media Pvt. Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/foodiebay-zomato/story/184785.html|title=How Foodiebay became Zomato|access-date=15 November 2016|website=Businesstoday.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/company/corporate-trends/10-year-milestone-reached-but-zomato-gets-hungry-for-more/the-origin-story/slideshow/64942723.cms|title=Zomato: 10-year milestone reached but Zomato gets hungry for more|website=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref> In 2011, Zomato expanded across India to [[Delhi NCR]], [[Mumbai]], [[Bangalore]], [[Chennai]], [[Pune]] and [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/zomato-launches-first-local-search-android-application-5073753685_1.html|title=Zomato launches first local-search android application|access-date=15 November 2016|website=Indiainfoline.com}}</ref> In 2012, the company expanded operations internationally in several countries, including the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Sri Lanka]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://techcircle.vccircle.com/2012/11/05/after-uae-zomato-expands-into-sri-lanka-adds-a-colombo-section|title=After UAE, Zomato expands into Sri Lanka; adds a Colombo section|website=Techcircle.vccircle.com|access-date=15 November 2016|date=5 November 2012}}</ref> [[Qatar]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.medianama.com/2013/03/223-zomato-philippines/|title=Zomato Expands to Philippines; Dubai Operations Break Even & Future Expansion Plans|date=2013-03-21|website=MediaNama|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref> the [[United Kingdom]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://techcircle.vccircle.com/2013/01/09/after-uae-adds-a-london-section|title=After UAE & Sri Lanka, Zomato expands into Europe; adds a London section|date=9 January 2013|website=Techcircle.vccircle.com|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref> the [[Philippines]],<ref name=":1" /> and [[South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nextbigwhat.com/zomato-launches-in-south-africa-297|title=Zomato launches in South Africa » NextBigWhat|website=Nextbigwhat.com|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref> In 2013, Zomato was launched in [[New Zealand]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.medianama.com/2013/07/223-zomato-new-zealand|title=Update: Zomato Breaks Even In India; Expands To New Zealand|website=MediaNama.com|access-date=12 August 2015|date=26 July 2013}}</ref> [[Turkey]], [[Brazil]] and [[Indonesia]], with its website and apps available in [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] and [[English language|English]] languages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techinasia.com/india-zomato-launches-in-new-languages-in-jakarta-istanbul-sao-paolo|title=Zomato tackles new languages for first time, takes restaurant listings to Indonesia, Turkey|website=Techinasia.com|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref> In April 2014, Zomato launched its services in [[Portugal]], which was followed by launches in [[Canada]], [[Lebanon]] and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.medianama.com/2014/10/223-zomato-canada-launch/|title=Zomato launches in Canada|website=MediaNama.com|access-date=12 August 2015|date=22 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.exchange4media.com/marketing/zomato-launches-lebanon-section;-expands-into-middle-east_58028.html|title=Zomato launches Lebanon section; expands into Middle East|website=Exchange4media.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/business/economy/zomato-launches-in-ireland-opens-revenue-source-by-making-advertisement-live-on-its-app-1997875.html|title=Zomato launches in Ireland, opens revenue source by making advertisement live on its app|website=Firstpost.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>
On 10 July 2008, Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah launched a restaurant-listing website named FoodieBay, while working at [[Bain & Company]]. They quit their jobs in November 2009 to focus on the website full-time, and [[Incorporation (business)|incorporated]] the company on 18 January 2010 as [[Eternal Limited|DC Foodiebay Online Services Private Limited]].<ref name="cold">{{cite news |last1=Srikanth |first1=Chandra R |title=The cold email that shaped Zomato's destiny |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/zomato-seeks-cci-nod-for-about-10-stake-in-grofers/articleshow/84012128.cms?from=mdr/news/business/cold-email-that-shaped-zomatos-ipo-info-edge-destiny-6832521.html |access-date=22 March 2025 |work=economictimes|date=29 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=SEBI {{!}} Zomato Limited - RHP |url=https://www.sebi.gov.in/filings/public-issues/jul-2021/zomato-limited-rhp_50950.html |website=www.sebi.gov.in |publisher=Zomato |access-date=22 March 2025}}</ref> In November 2010, the website was renamed Zomato as they were unsure if they would "just stick to food" and to avoid a potential naming conflict with [[eBay]].<ref name="cold"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Verma |first=Shrutika |date=6 February 2015 |title=Zomato: India's first global app |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/DCxQfRYn2f4sXlgbEAfFnI/Zomato-Indias-first-global-app.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617222853/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/DCxQfRYn2f4sXlgbEAfFnI/Zomato-Indias-first-global-app.html |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |work=mint}}</ref> A [[mobile app]] for Zomato was released the following month.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 May 2012 |title=How Foodiebay became Zomato |url=http://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/foodiebay-zomato/story/184785.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150815004521/http://www.businesstoday.in/current/corporate/foodiebay-zomato/story/184785.html |archive-date=15 August 2015 |access-date=15 November 2016 |website=Businesstoday.in}}</ref>
 
In 2019, Zomato acquired Seattle-based food portal [[Urbanspoon]], which led to the firm's entry into the [[United States]] and [[Australia]].<ref name=":0" /> This U.S.-expansion brought Zomato into direct competition with similar models such as [[Yelp]] and Foursquare.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://social.techcrunch.com/2015/01/12/restaurant-discovery-site-zomato-buys-iacs-urbanspoon-enters-the-u-s-market/|title=Restaurant Discovery Site Zomato Buys IAC's Urbanspoon, Enters The U.S.|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref>
 
With the introduction of [[.xxx]] domains in 2011, Zomato also launched zomato.xxx, a site dedicated to [[food porn]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/people-looking-for-food-porn-come-to-zomato-xxx-says-founder-deepinder-goyal/articleshow/44767826.cms|title=People looking for food porn come to Zomato.xxx, says founder Deepinder Goyal|newspaper=The Economic Times|access-date=15 November 2016|date=10 October 2014|last1=Menon|first1=Rashmi}}</ref> In May 2012, it launched a print version of the website named "Citibank Zomato Restaurant Guide," in collaboration with [[Citibank]], but it has since been discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.medianama.com/2012/04/223-zomato-launches-printed-food-guide-monetization-international-expansion-wp7-app|title=Zomato Launches Printed Food Guide; Monetization, International Expansion, WP7 App|website=Medianama.com|access-date=15 November 2016|date=6 April 2012}}</ref>
 
Zomato had also made a name for itself for its prowess in [[digital marketing]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Purkayastha, Debapratim and Chakraborty, Barnali|date=2020|title=Zomato: Redefining Digital Marketing|url=https://icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/Marketing/MKTG418.htm|access-date=2020-07-07|website=icmrindia.org}}</ref>
 
In February 2017, Zomato announced plans to launch Zomato Infrastructure services, a service to help [[Restaurant|restaurants]] expand their presence without incurring any fixed costs.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Singh|first=Rajiv|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/how-cloud-kitchens-are-helping-faasos-survive-the-foodtech-bloodbath/articleshow/61511937.cms|title=How cloud kitchens are helping Faasos survive the food tech bloodbath|date=2017-11-05|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-02-28|title=Zomato to launch kitchen infrastructure service ZIS in March; to provide space, equipment to restaurant brands|url=https://www.zeebiz.com/small-business/news-zomato-to-launch-kitchen-infrastructure-service-zis-in-march-to-provide-space-equipment-to-restaurant-brands-13004|access-date=2020-07-31|website=Zee Business}}</ref> In September 2017, Zomato claimed the company had "turned profitable" in all 24 countries where it operated and introduced a "zero-commission model" for partner restaurants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inc42.com/buzz/unicorn-zomato-zero-commission-restaurants|title=Zomato Claims To Be Profitable, Introduces Zero Commission For Partner Restaurants|website=Inc42.com|access-date=21 September 2017|date=18 September 2017}}</ref> Towards the end of 2017, Zomato stopped accepting updates from its active users by not utilizing moderators to verify and make updates. Users of the app reported issues with new features to pay for orders.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}}
 
Zomato narrowed down its losses by 34% to ₹389 crore{{clarify|date=September 2018}} for the financial year 2016–17, from ₹590.1 crore{{clarify|date=September 2018}} in the previous year 2015–16.<ref>{{cite news|title=With revenue servings up at 81%, Zomato cuts losses by 34% in FY17|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/money/with-revenue-servings-up-at-81-zomato-cuts-losses-by-34-in-fy17/articleshow/59362426.cms|publisher=[[The Economic Times]]|date=29 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Sharma|first1=Disha|title=Zomato losses shrink in FY17, revenue grows 81%|url=https://www.vccircle.com/zomato-losses-shrink-in-fy17-revenue-grows-81/|publisher=[[VCCircle]]|date=29 June 2017}}</ref>
 
In September 2019, Zomato fired almost 10% of its workforce (540 people) tending to back-end activities like customer service, merchant and delivery partner support functions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/zomato-lays-off-540-employees-across-customer-support-teams-1567852078631.html|title=Zomato lays off 540 employees across customer support teams|last=Tandon|first=Suneera|date=2019-09-07|website=Live Mint|language=en|access-date=2019-09-07}}</ref>
In April 2020, due to rising demand for online groceries amid the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Zomato launched its grocery delivery services named Zomato Market in 80+ cities across India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Summary of all of Zomato's COVID-19 related initiatives|url=https://www.zomato.com/blog/covid-19-initiatives|last=Deepinder|first=Goyal|date=2020-04-07|website=Zomato munchies - The blog|access-date=2020-05-22}}</ref>
 
In April 2020, [https://www.zomato.com/blog/contactless-dining Zomato introduced Contactless Dining] to get ready for a post-lockdown world. Through this initiative, the company aims to minimize customer contact with anything that someone else might have touched, by eliminating the use of high-touch elements such as the menu, ordering, and bill payments through bar codes or the app while the staff will wear masks.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bhushan|first=Ratna|date=2020-04-18|title=Zomato introduces contactless dining|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/zomato-introduces-contactless-dining/articleshow/75219105.cms|access-date=2020-06-05}}</ref>
 
In May 2020, Zomato further laid off 520 employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic. <ref>{{Cite web|title=Zomato to lay off 520 people as Covid-19 hurts business - ETtech|url=https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/zomato-to-lay-off-13-if-its-staff-as-covid-19-severely-impacts-food-ordering-business/7572425255416|last=www.ETtech.com|website=ETtech.com|language=en|access-date=2020-05-21}}</ref> Despite the fact that demand for services delivering food from restaurants and takeaways surged, Zomato's nominal reasoning for needing cuts is that [[coronavirus]] will be followed by an economic downturn, which could hit orders.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/02/deliveroo-venture-capitalism-food-delivery-business-model|title=Deliveroo was the poster child for venture capitalism. It's not looking so good now|first=James|last=Ball|date=2 May 2020|work=The Guardian}}</ref>
 
In August 2020, Zomato drew praise for introducing a [[menstrual period|period]] leave policy, allowing female employees to take up to 10 days time off per year if they are unable to work due to menstrual cycle health effects. The policy applies to transgender employees as well. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/11/business/india-zomato-period-leave.html|work=[[New York Times]]|title=Company's Paid Leave for Periods Takes On a Workplace Taboo|access-date=2020-10-06}}</ref>


On 23rd July 2021, Zomato went public, opening its [[Initial public offering]] at a price band of Rs 72-76 per share. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/business/market/zomato-ipo-allotment-status-how-to-check-share-allotment-status-online-7413320|work=[[The Indian Express]]|title=Zomato IPO allotment status: Here is how to check your shares|access-date=2021-07-21}}</ref>
=== Expansion (2011–2015) ===
[[File:Zomato-logo.png|thumb|Zomato logo in 2012]]
[[File:Availability of Zomato.svg|thumb|Availability of Zomato in 2015]]
With the introduction of [[.xxx]] domains in 2011, Zomato also launched ''zomato.xxx'', a site dedicated to [[food porn]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Rashmi |date=10 October 2014 |title=People looking for food porn come to Zomato.xxx, says founder Deepinder Goyal |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/people-looking-for-food-porn-come-to-zomato-xxx-says-founder-deepinder-goyal/articleshow/44767826.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104171419/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/people-looking-for-food-porn-come-to-zomato-xxx-says-founder-deepinder-goyal/articleshow/44767826.cms |archive-date=4 November 2016 |access-date=15 November 2016 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> Later in 2011, Zomato introduced [[Online ticket brokering|online ticketing]] for events on its website.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-12-20 |title=Zomato.com forays into online ticketing for events |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/zomatocom-forays-into-online-ticketing-for-events/article64123740.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308143518/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/zomatocom-forays-into-online-ticketing-for-events/article64123740.ece |archive-date=8 March 2024 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref>


== Investments ==
In 2011, Zomato expanded across India to [[Delhi]], [[Mumbai]], [[Bengaluru]], [[Chennai]], [[Pune]], [[Ahmedabad]] and [[Hyderabad]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zomato launches first local-search android application |url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/zomato-launches-first-local-search-android-application-5073753685_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150214174343/http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news/zomato-launches-first-local-search-android-application-5073753685_1.html |archive-date=14 February 2015 |access-date=15 November 2016 |website=Indiainfoline.com}}</ref> In 2012, it expanded operations internationally in several countries, including the [[United Arab Emirates]], [[Sri Lanka]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 November 2012 |title=After UAE, Zomato expands into Sri Lanka; adds a Colombo section |url=http://techcircle.vccircle.com/2012/11/05/after-uae-zomato-expands-into-sri-lanka-adds-a-colombo-section |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225045501/http://techcircle.vccircle.com/2012/11/05/after-uae-zomato-expands-into-sri-lanka-adds-a-colombo-section |archive-date=25 February 2013 |access-date=15 November 2016 |website=Techcircle.vccircle.com}}</ref> [[Qatar]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2013-03-21 |title=Zomato Expands to Philippines; Dubai Operations Break Even & Future Expansion Plans |url=https://www.medianama.com/2013/03/223-zomato-philippines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323202354/https://www.medianama.com/2013/03/223-zomato-philippines/ |archive-date=23 March 2013 |access-date=2020-02-13 |website=MediaNama}}</ref> the [[United Kingdom]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2013 |title=After UAE & Sri Lanka, Zomato expands into Europe; adds a London section |url=http://techcircle.vccircle.com/2013/01/09/after-uae-adds-a-london-section |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225045511/http://techcircle.vccircle.com/2013/01/09/after-uae-adds-a-london-section |archive-date=25 February 2013 |access-date=15 November 2016 |website=Techcircle.vccircle.com}}</ref> the [[Philippines]],<ref name=":1" /> and [[South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zomato launches in South Africa » NextBigWhat |url=http://www.nextbigwhat.com/zomato-launches-in-south-africa-297 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161117064324/https://www.nextbigwhat.com/zomato-launches-in-south-africa-297/ |archive-date=17 November 2016 |access-date=15 November 2016 |website=Nextbigwhat.com}}</ref> In 2013, it expanded to [[New Zealand]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 July 2013 |title=Update: Zomato Breaks Even In India; Expands To New Zealand |url=http://www.medianama.com/2013/07/223-zomato-new-zealand |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723151612/http://www.medianama.com/2013/07/223-zomato-new-zealand |archive-date=23 July 2013 |access-date=12 August 2015 |website=MediaNama.com}}</ref> [[Turkey]], [[Brazil]], and [[Indonesia]], with websites and apps available in [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]], and [[English language|English]] languages.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zomato tackles new languages for first time, takes restaurant listings to Indonesia, Turkey |url=https://www.techinasia.com/india-zomato-launches-in-new-languages-in-jakarta-istanbul-sao-paolo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107114522/https://www.techinasia.com/india-zomato-launches-in-new-languages-in-jakarta-istanbul-sao-paolo |archive-date=7 November 2013 |access-date=15 November 2016 |website=Techinasia.com}}</ref> In April 2014, it was launched in [[Chile]] and [[Portugal]], which was followed by launches in [[Canada]], [[Lebanon]], and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 October 2014 |title=Zomato launches in Canada |url=http://www.medianama.com/2014/10/223-zomato-canada-launch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025051956/http://www.medianama.com/2014/10/223-zomato-canada-launch/ |archive-date=25 October 2014 |access-date=12 August 2015 |website=MediaNama.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Zomato launches Lebanon section; expands into Middle East |url=http://www.exchange4media.com/marketing/zomato-launches-lebanon-section;-expands-into-middle-east_58028.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020541/http://www.exchange4media.com/marketing/zomato-launches-lebanon-section;-expands-into-middle-east_58028.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=12 August 2015 |website=Exchange4media.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=26 November 2014 |title=Zomato launches in Ireland, opens revenue source by making advertisement live on its app |url=http://www.firstpost.com/business/economy/zomato-launches-in-ireland-opens-revenue-source-by-making-advertisement-live-on-its-app-1997875.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227012203/http://www.firstpost.com/business/economy/zomato-launches-in-ireland-opens-revenue-source-by-making-advertisement-live-on-its-app-1997875.html |archive-date=27 December 2014 |access-date=12 August 2015 |website=Firstpost.com}}</ref>
Between 2010 and 2013, Zomato raised approximately {{USD|16.7 million}} from [[Info Edge]] India, giving Info Edge India a 57.9% stake in Zomato.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nuffoodsspectrum.in/news/27/1867/zomato-to-start-its-own-delivery.html|title=Zomato to start its own delivery|website=www.nuffoodsspectrum.in|language=en|access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref> In November 2013, it raised an additional {{USD}}37 million from [[Sequoia Capital]] and Info Edge India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vccircle.com/news/technology/2013/11/06/sequoia-leads-37m-funding-round-zomato|title=Sequoia leads $37M funding round in Zomato|website=Vccircle.com|access-date=15 November 2016|date=6 November 2013}}</ref>


In November 2014, Zomato completed another round of funding of {{USD}}60 million at a post-money valuation of ~US$660 million.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Shahi|first=Twishy|title=Zomato raises US$60M from Vy Capital, Info Edge and Sequoia|url=https://e27.co/zomato-raises-us60m-from-vy-capital-info-edge-and-sequoia-20141119/|access-date=2020-07-31|website=e27|language=en}}</ref> This round of funding was being led jointly by Info Edge India and Vy Capital, with participation from [[Sequoia Capital]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-11-19/news/56265854_1_pankaj-chaddah-zomato-deepinder-goyal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305122754/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-11-19/news/56265854_1_pankaj-chaddah-zomato-deepinder-goyal|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-03-05|title=Zomato raises $60 million from Vy Capital, Info Edge & Sequoia - timesofindia-economictimes|date=2016-03-05|access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref>
In January 2015, Zomato acquired Seattle-based restaurant discovery portal [[Urbanspoon]], which led to the firm's entry into the [[United States]] and [[Australia]].<ref name="urb" /> This U.S. expansion brought Zomato into direct competition with similar models such as [[Yelp]] and Foursquare.<ref name="urb">{{Cite web |date=12 January 2015 |title=Restaurant Discovery Site Zomato Buys IAC's Urbanspoon, Enters The U.S. |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/01/12/restaurant-discovery-site-zomato-buys-iacs-urbanspoon-enters-the-u-s-market/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227021933/http://social.techcrunch.com/2015/01/12/restaurant-discovery-site-zomato-buys-iacs-urbanspoon-enters-the-u-s-market/ |archive-date=27 February 2015 |access-date=2019-10-09 |website=TechCrunch}}</ref> In June 2015, Zomato announced the closure of Urbanspoon, with its [[Web traffic|traffic]] being redirected to Zomato.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pahwa |first1=Akanksha |title=Zomato Announces Final Closure Of Urbanspoon Brand, Traffic Diverted To Zomato's App |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/zomato-announces-final-closure-of-urbanspoon-brand-traffic-diverted-to-zomatos-app/ |access-date=20 April 2025 |work=Inc42 Media |date=2 June 2015 |language=en}}</ref>


While in April 2015, Info Edge India, Vy Capital and Sequoia Capital led another round of funding for {{USD}}50 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-11/news/61041493_1_info-edge-300-crore-zomato-media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208144742/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-04-11/news/61041493_1_info-edge-300-crore-zomato-media|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-12-08|title=Zomato raises Rs 311 crore from existing investors - timesofindia-economictimes|date=2015-12-08|access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref> This was followed by another {{USD}}60 million funding led by [[Temasek Holdings|Temasek]], a [[Singapore]] government-owned investment company, along with Vy Capital in September.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/zomato-raises-60-mn-in-fresh-round-of-funding-115090700966_1.html|title=Zomato raises $60 mn from Temasek and Vy Capital|newspaper=Business Standard India|access-date=18 March 2017|date=8 September 2015}}</ref>
=== Entry into food delivery (2015–2019) ===
[[File:Zomato.svg|thumb|150px|Zomato's logo from 2016 to 2018]]
In March 2015, Zomato started its food delivery service in India,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Restaurant Discovery Site Zomato To Launch Food Delivery Service, Starting In India |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/11/zomato-food-delivery/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617222852/https://techcrunch.com/2015/02/11/zomato-food-delivery/ |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref> initially partnering with hyperlocal logistics companies such as [[Delhivery]], Grab and Runnr to fulfill deliveries from restaurants that did not have their own delivery service.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rai |first=Archana |date=12 January 2016 |title=Zomato shuts down online ordering operations in 4 cities |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/zomato-shuts-down-online-ordering-operations-in-4-cities/articleshow/50532588.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617222854/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/zomato-shuts-down-online-ordering-operations-in-4-cities/articleshow/50532588.cms |archive-date=17 June 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref name="runnr"/> After acquiring Runnr in 2017, it transitioned to delivering with its own fleet.<ref name="runnr">{{Cite news |last=Sen |first=Anirban |date=13 September 2017 |title=Zomato acquires food delivery start-up Runnr |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/W8wu28THxovZpVYufEvrnL/Zomato-acquires-delivery-startup-Runnr.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829110107/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/W8wu28THxovZpVYufEvrnL/Zomato-acquires-delivery-startup-Runnr.html |archive-date=29 August 2018 |access-date=29 August 2018 |work=Livemint.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sharma |first1=Samidha |title=Zomato set to buy Runnr as fight with Swiggy heats up |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/deals/-ma/zomato-set-to-buy-runnr-as-fight-with-swiggy-heats-up/articleshow/59008058.cms |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=6 June 2017}}</ref>


In October 2018, Zomato raised $210 million from [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]]'s payment affiliate Ant Financial. Ant Financial received an ownership stake of over 10% of the company as part of the round, which valued Zomato at around $2 billion. Zomato had also raised an additional $150 million also from Ant Financial earlier in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/ant-financial-puts-another-210-million-in-zomato/articleshow/66191992.cms|title=Ant Financial puts another $210 million in Zomato|date=2018-10-13|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-10-15}}</ref>
In January 2016, it launched [[table reservation]] feature on its application in India.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 January 2016 |title=Zomato starts table reservations with Book |url=https://www.techcircle.in/2016/01/14/zomato-enters-table-reservation-space-with-book |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808042328/https://www.techcircle.in/2016/01/14/zomato-enters-table-reservation-space-with-book |archive-date=8 August 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |work=Techcircle}}</ref>


In September 2020, Zomato raised $62 million from Temasek, after previously committed capitol from Ant Financial never came through. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/02/indias-zomato-raises-62-million-from-temasek/|title=India's Zomato raises $62 million from Temasek|date=2020-09-03|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2020-09-03}}</ref>
In February 2017, it introduced a paid membership program called ''Zomato Gold'' using which subscribers could get offers and discounts on dining and food delivery at Zomato's partner restaurants.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Zomato Gold Membership Programme Launched, Coming Soon to India |url=https://www.gadgets360.com/apps/news/zomato-gold-membership-programme-launched-in-the-uae-coming-to-india-in-june-1670338 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812180757/https://gadgets360.com/apps/news/zomato-gold-membership-programme-launched-in-the-uae-coming-to-india-in-june-1670338 |archive-date=12 August 2022 |access-date=17 June 2022 |work=NDTV Gadgets 360}}</ref>


In October 2020, as part of a Series J round of funding, Zomato raised $52 million from Kora, a US-based Investment firm. <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/food-delivery-unicorn-zomato-raises-rs-379-cr-from-us-investor-kora-120101501744_1.html/|title=Food delivery unicorn Zomato raises Rs 379 cr from US investor Kora|date=2020-10-15|work=BusinessStandard|access-date=2020-10-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tyagi |first1=Gaurav |last2=Upadhyay |first2=Harsh |title=Exclusive: Zomato bags $52 Mn from Kora Investments |url=https://entrackr.com/2020/10/exclusive-zomato-bags-52-mn-from-kora-investments/ |work=Entrackr |date=14 October 2020}}</ref>
In March 2019, Zomato's UAE food delivery business was sold to [[Talabat]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Zomato sells UAE business to Talabat owner |url=https://gulfnews.com/technology/zomato-sells-uae-business-to-talabat-owner-1.62452901 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103091431/https://gulfnews.com/technology/zomato-sells-uae-business-to-talabat-owner-1.62452901 |archive-date=3 January 2023 |access-date=3 January 2023 |work=Gulf News}}</ref>


In February 2021, Zomato raised {{USD}}250 million from five investors, including [[Tiger Global Management]], at a valuation of {{USD}}5.4 billion.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zomato raises $250 million in funding from Tiger Global, Kora and others |url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/zomato-raises-250-million-in-funding-from-tiger-global-kora-and-others/article33910204.ece |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=23 February 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Choudhury|first=Saheli Roy|date=2021-07-23|title=Shares of Indian food delivery start-up Zomato jump over 80% in market debut|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/23/zomato-ipo-indian-food-delivery-start-up.html|access-date=2021-08-17|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref>
=== 2020–present ===
In January 2020, Zomato acquired [[Uber Eats]]' India business in an all-stock deal, giving [[Uber]] a 9.99% stake in the company. Following the acquisition, Uber Eats discontinued its standalone operations in India, and its users and restaurant partners were migrated to Zomato's platform. According to industry estimates at the time, Uber Eats had a market share of less than 5%, while the acquisition was projected to increase Zomato's market share to 52%.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tiwary |first1=Avanish |title=Uber Eats sold its India business to local competitor Zomato for USD 206 million (Update) |url=https://kr-asia.com/uber-eats-recedes-india-market-sells-business-to-local-competitor-zomato |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=KrASIA |date=21 January 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Uber Eats Acquired by Zomato: Uber sells food delivery business for 9.99% stake in Zomato |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/zomato-buys-ubers-indian-food-delivery-business/articleshow/73464916.cms |work=The Times of India |publisher=Times Internet |date=21 January 2020 |access-date=24 January 2026}}</ref>


== Acquisitions ==
Between April and June 2020, owing to a rising demand for online grocery ordering amid the [[COVID-19 lockdown in India|COVID-19 lockdown]], Zomato delivered groceries and essentials under a service named Zomato Market in over 80 Indian cities.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Zomato taps into grocery spurt amid Covid-19 lockdown; competes with BigBasket, Grofers, Swiggy, others |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/zomato-launches-zomato-market-for-grocery-deliveries-compete-with-swiggy-amazon-bigbasket-grofers/1916952/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001162102/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/zomato-launches-zomato-market-for-grocery-deliveries-compete-with-swiggy-amazon-bigbasket-grofers/1916952/ |archive-date=1 October 2022 |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=Financial Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 June 2020 |title=Zomato Gives Up Grocery Plans As It Shifts Focus Entirely To Food Delivery |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/zomato-gives-up-grocery-plans-as-it-shifts-focus-entirely-to-food-delivery/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628122217/https://inc42.com/buzz/zomato-gives-up-grocery-plans-as-it-shifts-focus-entirely-to-food-delivery/ |archive-date=28 June 2022 |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=Inc42 Media}}</ref> In April 2020, it introduced [[contactless dining]] at its partner restaurants.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhushan |first=Ratna |date=2020-04-18 |title=Zomato introduces contactless dining |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/zomato-introduces-contactless-dining/articleshow/75219105.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726012533/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/newsbuzz/zomato-introduces-contactless-dining/articleshow/75219105.cms |archive-date=26 July 2021 |access-date=2020-06-05 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> In May 2020, Zomato started delivering alcohol in [[West Bengal]], [[Jharkhand]], and [[Odisha]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 May 2020 |title=Zomato, Swiggy launch alcohol delivery service in Odisha |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/zomato-swiggy-launch-alcohol-delivery-service-in-odisha/1971433/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604234624/https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/zomato-swiggy-launch-alcohol-delivery-service-in-odisha/1971433/ |archive-date=4 June 2020 |access-date=2 June 2020 |work=The Financial Express}}</ref> before pulling out in April 2021, citing poor unit economics and scalability.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 April 2021 |title=Zomato Exits Alcohol Delivery Due To Cashburn Even As Swiggy Stays Put |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/zomato-exits-alcohol-delivery-due-to-cashburn-even-as-swiggy-stays-put/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619125912/https://inc42.com/buzz/zomato-exits-alcohol-delivery-due-to-cashburn-even-as-swiggy-stays-put/ |archive-date=19 June 2022 |access-date=19 June 2022 |work=Inc42 Media}}</ref>
Zomato has acquired 12 startups globally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inc42.com/buzz/zomato-acquires-food-startup-tonguestun-for-18-mn/|title=Zomato Acquires Food Startup TongueStun for $18 Mn|last=Inc42|date=5 September 2018|website=Inc42.com}}</ref>  
* In July 2014, Zomato made its first acquisition by buying Menu-mania for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-07-01/news/51002805_1_deepinder-goyal-zomato-restaurant-discovery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715183021/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-07-01/news/51002805_1_deepinder-goyal-zomato-restaurant-discovery|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-07-15|title=Zomato buys New Zealand's MenuMania for Rs 5 crore - timesofindia-economictimes|date=2016-07-15|access-date=2020-02-21}}</ref>  
* The company pursued other acquisitions including lunchtime.cz and obedovat.sk for a combined {{USD}}3.25 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/zomato-acquires-lunchtime-obedovat-for-325-mn/article6341312.ece|title=Zomato acquires Lunchtime, Obedovat for $3.25 mn|last=Pani|first=Priyanka|website=Thehindubusiness.line.com|access-date=15 November 2016}}</ref>  
* In September 2014, Zomato acquired Poland-based restaurant search service Gastronauci for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/zomato-acquires-polands-gastronauci-fourth-acquisition-in-three-months/articleshow/43221146.cms|title=Zomato acquires Poland's Gastronauci, fourth acquisition in three months|access-date=12 August 2015|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=23 September 2014|last1=Borpuzari|first1=Pranbihanga}}</ref>
* In December 2014, it acquired Italian restaurant search service Cibando.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.livemint.com/Companies/TEMTtnEVWTKBdM2GfXsGLI/Zomato-buys-Italys-Cibando-to-enter-15-more-countries-in-2.html|title=Zomato buys Italy's Cibando, to enter 15 more countries in 2015|last=Verma|first=Shrutika|date=19 December 2014|website=Livemint.com|access-date=26 December 2016}}</ref>


* Zomato also acquired Seattle-based food portal, Urbanspoon, for an estimated $60 million in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/restaurant-discovery-service-zomato-buys-urbanspoon-for-60-million/news-story/0424ab73be6fede85b53c97de6e107d5|title=Restaurant discovery service Zomato buys Urbanspoon for $60 million|last=Dunn|first=Matthew|date=15 January 2015|access-date=21 September 2017|website=News.com.au}}</ref>  
In November 2021, Zomato announced that it would cease its services in all countries except India and the UAE.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Zomato has officially pulled out of all international markets |url=https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/zomato-has-closed-all-international-operations-in-uk-us-singapore-and-lebanon/articleshow/87639773.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230222062235/https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/zomato-has-closed-all-international-operations-in-uk-us-singapore-and-lebanon/articleshow/87639773.cms |archive-date=22 February 2023 |access-date=22 February 2023 |work=Business Insider}}</ref> By early 2024, it had completed the liquidation of more than 10 overseas subsidiaries, which were primarily focused on restaurant discovery and reviews.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Popular food review website leaves Australia |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/zomato-food-review-website-leaves-australia/82d3b413-046d-46ba-a8d5-5ef65326c644 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314200852/https://www.9news.com.au/national/zomato-food-review-website-leaves-australia/82d3b413-046d-46ba-a8d5-5ef65326c644 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |access-date=14 March 2023 |work=9News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bevin |first=Andrew |date=10 April 2023 |title=The reason menu broker Zomato has quietly exited New Zealand |url=https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/04/10/zomato-quietly-exited-new-zealand/ |access-date=12 November 2024 |website=Newsroom |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jaswal |first1=Mansi |date=6 January 2024 |title=Zomato exits almost all foreign markets, liquidates 10 overseas subsidiaries in less than a year |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/zomato-exits-almost-all-foreign-markets-liquidates-10-overseas-subisidiaries-in-less-a-year-11704523495393.html |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=Mint}}</ref>
* Other acquisitions of 2015 include Mekanist in an all-cash deal,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/zomato-acquires-turkey-s-mekanist-115012900342_1.html|title=Zomato strikes 7th deal, buys Turkish firm|access-date=12 August 2015|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=30 January 2015}}</ref> the Delhi-based startup MapleGraph that built MaplePOS (renamed Zomato Base),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/in/2015/04/14/restaurant-listings-app-zomato-acquires-maplepos-to-launch-reservations-and-payments|title=Zomato Buys MaplePOS to Offer Restaurant Reservations|last=Ghoshal|first=Abhimanyu|website=Thenexthub.com|access-date=12 August 2015|date=14 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=www.ETtech.com|title=Zomato acquires restaurant POS company MaplePOS - ETtech|url=http://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/zomato-acquires-restaurant-pos-company-maplepos/46921585|access-date=2020-07-31|website=ETtech.com|language=en}}</ref> and NexTable, a US-based table reservation and restaurant management platform.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/04/22/zomato-buys-nextable-to-rival-opentable-and-yelp-in-reservations|title=Zomato Buys NexTable To Rival OpenTable And Yelp In Reservations|last=Lunden|first=Ingrid|website=Techcrunch.com|access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>


* In 2016, the company acquired Sparse Labs, a logistics technology startup,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/startups/zomato-acquires-logistics-tech-startup-sparse-labs/articleshow/54521541.cms|title=Zomato acquires logistics tech startup Sparse Labs|last=Chanchani|first=Madhav|date=2016-09-27|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-08-26}}</ref> and the food delivery startup, Runnr, in 2017 (renamed from Roadrunnr when it acquired TinyOwl in 2016).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/W8wu28THxovZpVYufEvrnL/Zomato-acquires-delivery-startup-Runnr.html|title=Zomato acquires food delivery start-up Runnr|last=Sen|first=Anirban|date=2017-09-13|website=Livemint.com|access-date=2018-08-29}}</ref>
In August 2022, Zomato launched an inter-city food delivery service called Legends,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-31 |title=Zomato launches 'Intercity legends': Now order food from other cities, here's how it will work |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/zomato-intercity-legends-order-food-from-other-cities-how-it-will-work-8122122/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902060125/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/zomato-intercity-legends-order-food-from-other-cities-how-it-will-work-8122122/ |archive-date=2 September 2022 |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> which was stopped two years later.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roy |first1=Supriya |title=Zomato shuts down intercity food delivery service Legends |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/zomato-shuts-down-intercity-food-delivery-service-legends/articleshow/112716943.cms |access-date=21 April 2025 |work=The Times of India |date=22 August 2024}}</ref>
 
* In September 2018, Zomato acquired [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]]-based food [[E-commerce|e-marketplace]], TongueStun Food, for about $18 million in a cash and stock deal.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://inc42.com/buzz/zomato-acquires-food-startup-tonguestun-for-18-mn/|title=Zomato Acquires Food Startup TongueStun for $18 Mn|last=Inc42|date=5 September 2018|work=Inc42 Media}}</ref>
* In December 2018, Zomato acquired [[Lucknow]]-based startup, TechEagle Innovations, that works exclusively on drones, for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/startups/zomato-buys-tech-eagle-innovations-to-work-on-drone-based-food-delivery/66951972|title=Zomato buys Tech Eagle Innovations to work on drone - based food delivery |website=Tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com|language=en|access-date=2019-02-11}}</ref> Zomato claimed that the acquisition will help pave the way towards drone-based [[food delivery]] in India, building technology aimed at a hub-to-hub delivery network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tech/zomato-acquires-techeagle-for-drone-based-food-delivery/story-pgWaYGMNi7n8RQNVrmEYeP.html|title=Zomato acquires Lucknow-based startup TechEagle for drone-based food delivery in India|date=2018-12-05|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-08-20}}</ref>
 
* On 21 January 2020, Zomato acquired its rival [[Uber Eats]]' business in India in an all stock deal, giving Uber Eats 10% of the combined business.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/amp/news/internet/zomato-buys-uber-eats-india-for-350m/73452228| title=Zomato buys Rival UberEats in India for 350m|website=Tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/zomato-acquires-uber-eats-business-in-india/article30612468.ece|title=Zomato acquires Uber Eats business in India in an all-stock deal|last=Bhargava|first=Yuthika|date=2020-01-21|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-21|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
*On 29 June 2021, Zomato signed a deal with [[Grofers]] to invest nearly $120 Million in the online grocery firm by acquiring 9.3% stakes of the company.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Zomato Seeks CCI Approval To Acquire 9.3% Stake In Grofers|url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/startup/zomato-seeks-cci-approval-to-acquire-9-3-stake-in-grofers-7112681.html|access-date=2021-07-02|website=Moneycontrol}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=IANS|date=2021-07-02|title=Zomato Grofers Deal: Details Inside|url=https://www.india.com/business/zomato-grofers-deal-zomato-grofers-news-grofers-zomato-gold-zomato-grofers-merger-4782845/|access-date=2021-07-02|website=India News, Breaking News {{!}} India.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Barik|first=Soumyarendra|date=2021-07-01|title=Zomato set to acquire 9.3% stake in Grofers, asks CCI nod|url=https://entrackr.com/2021/07/zomato-set-to-acquire-9-3-stake-in-grofers-asks-cci-nod/|access-date=2021-07-02|website=Entrackr|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Security breaches==
==Security breaches==
On 4 June 2015, an Indian security researcher hacked the Zomato website and gained access to information about 62.5 million users. Using the vulnerability, he was able to access the personal data of users such as telephone numbers, email addresses, and Instagram private photos using their Instagram access token. Zomato fixed the issue within 48 hours of it becoming apparent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.techinasia.com/zomato-hacked-indian-online-startups-security-granted/|title=Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem|website=Techinasia.com|access-date=18 May 2017}}</ref> On 15 October 2015, Zomato changed business strategies from a Full-Stack market to an Enterprise market{{clarify|date=September 2018}}. This led Zomato to reduce its workforce by 10%, or around 300 people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Shifting focus to what matters and what works|url=http://blog.zomato.com/post/131277554406/shifting-focus-to-what-matters-and-what-works|website=Blog.zomato.com|access-date=1 November 2015}}</ref>
On 4 June 2015, an Indian security researcher hacked the Zomato website and gained access to information about 62.5 million users. Using the vulnerability, he was able to access the personal data of users such as telephone numbers, email addresses, and [[Instagram]] private photos using their Instagram access token. Zomato fixed the issue within 48 hours of it becoming apparent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem |url=https://www.techinasia.com/zomato-hacked-indian-online-startups-security-granted/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608153152/https://www.techinasia.com/zomato-hacked-indian-online-startups-security-granted |archive-date=8 June 2017 |access-date=18 May 2017 |website=Techinasia.com}}</ref>


On 18 May 2017, a security blog called Hack read claimed over 17 million accounts had been breached. "The database includes emails and password hashes of Zomato users, while the price was set for the whole package is $1,001.43 (Bitcoins 0.5587). The vendor also shared a trove of sample data to prove it is legit", the Hackread's post said. Hacked claimed details of 17 million users had meanwhile been sold on the Dark Web. Zomato confirmed that names, email addresses, and encrypted passwords were taken from its database. The company reassured affected customers that no payment information or credit card details were stolen{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}.
On 18 May 2017, a security blog called HackRead claimed that over 17 million Zomato user records including emails and [[password hash]]es had been stolen due to a security breach. The company stated that no payment information or credit card details were stolen.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Anu |title=Zomato hacked - Security breach results in 17 million user data stolen |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/security-tech/security/zomato-hacked-security-breach-results-in-17-million-user-data-stolen/articleshow/58729251.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126083621/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/small-biz/security-tech/security/zomato-hacked-security-breach-results-in-17-million-user-data-stolen/articleshow/58729251.cms |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref> The hacker removed the stolen user data from the [[dark web]] after Zomato agreed to start a [[bug bounty program]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 May 2017 |title=Zomato explains how it got hacked, and it's complicated: Here's a simpler explanation |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/zomato-explains-how-it-got-hacked-and-its-complicated-heres-a-simpler-explanation-77553-2017-05-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126083623/https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/zomato-explains-how-it-got-hacked-and-its-complicated-heres-a-simpler-explanation-77553-2017-05-24 |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |work=Business Today}}</ref>


Zomato said the security measures it uses to ensure the stolen passwords cannot be converted back into normal text, but it still urged users who use the same password on other services to change them. It also logged the affected users out of the app and reset their passwords. "So far, it looks like an internal (human) security breach - some employee's development account got compromised", the company said in a blog post but later, when Zomato contacted the hacker, they discovered a loophole in their security. The hacker removed the stolen content from Dark Web asking for a healthy bug bounty programme.{{better source|date=August 2019}}<ref>blog.zomato.com/post/160791675411/security-notice</ref>
==Feeding India==
Started in 2014 by Ankit Kawatra, Feeding India is a [[nonprofit organisation]] focused on hunger relief initiatives in India. It operates volunteer-led meal distribution programs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nair |first=Divya |title=The 24 year old who wants to feed India |url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/the-24-year-old-who-wants-to-feed-india/20160929.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126083624/https://www.rediff.com/getahead/report/the-24-year-old-who-wants-to-feed-india/20160929.htm |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |work=Rediff}}</ref> Feeding India was acquired by Zomato in July 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2019 |title=Zomato acquires food donation start-up Feeding India |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/zomato-acquires-food-donation-start-up-feeding-india-1562669599691.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126083624/https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/zomato-acquires-food-donation-start-up-feeding-india-1562669599691.html |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |work=Mint}}</ref> In May 2022, Zomato claimed that Feeding India was serving over 200,000 meals every day under its Daily Feeding Program.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Update: Now serving Two Lakh meals a day under the 'Daily Feeding Program' |url=https://www.zomato.com/blog/feeding-india-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126083623/https://www.zomato.com/blog/feeding-india-update |archive-date=26 November 2022 |access-date=26 November 2022 |work=Zomato}}</ref>


== Controversies ==
Zomato Feeding India has organised [[benefit concert]]s in Mumbai to raise awareness about [[malnutrition in India]]; it was headlined by [[Post Malone]] (in 2022)<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 December 2022 |title=Rapper Post Malone arrives in Mumbai for his first India concert later today |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/entertainment/story/rapper-post-malone-arrives-in-mumbai-for-his-first-india-concert-later-today-355909-2022-12-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113175316/https://www.businesstoday.in/trending/entertainment/story/rapper-post-malone-arrives-in-mumbai-for-his-first-india-concert-later-today-355909-2022-12-10 |archive-date=13 November 2023 |access-date=13 November 2023 |work=Business Today |language=en}}</ref> and [[Dua Lipa]] (in 2024).<ref>{{cite news |title=India, I'm coming back!: Dua Lipa announces return to India for Zomato concert |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/dua-lipa-returns-to-india-for-zomato-feeding-india-concert-in-november-9531481/ |access-date=8 January 2025 |work=The Indian Express |date=25 August 2024 |language=en}}</ref>


==="Food has no religion" tweet===
== District ==
In July 2019, Zomato received a customer complaint that he was assigned a non-Hindu delivery boy for his food order in [[Jabalpur]] and had asked Zomato to provide a Hindu delivery boy. The customer alleged that Zomato had refused to change the rider after which he asked to cancel the order.<ref name="IT_Hate">{{cite news |title=Jabalpur police to Zomato customer: Tweet hate, go to jail |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/Jabalpur-police-to-Jabalpur-zomato-customer-tweet-hate-go-to-jail-1576159-2019-08-01 |work=India Today}}</ref> The customer then posted this incident on [[Twitter]], after which Zomato responded to the message stating: "Food doesn't have a religion. It is a religion."<ref name="IT_Hate" /><ref name=" India today">{{cite news |title=Uber Eats tells Zomato we stand by you on Jabalpur Muslim delivery boy row. Internet loves |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/uber-eats-tells-zomato-we-stand-by-you-on-Jabalpur-Muslim-delivery-boy-row-internet-loves-1575959-2019-08-01 |work=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Man cancels order over delivery person's religion, Zomato wins hearts by taking stand |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/man-cancels-order-after-non-hindu-guy-picks-food-zomato-wins-hearts-taking-a-stand-5866103/ |access-date=1 August 2019 |work=The Indian Express |date=1 August 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref> The company's response received positive comments on Twitter,<ref>{{Cite news|title='Food has no religion': Zomato tweets savage reply to customer who cancels order because of non-Hindu rider|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/food-has-no-religion-zomato-tweets-savage-reply-to-customer-who-cancels-order-because-of-non-hindu-rider/articleshow/70463528.cms|access-date=2020-07-31}}</ref> but some customers questioned the use of [[Jain food]] and [[halal]] tags on food items. According to the company, such tags are placed by individual restaurant owners, and not by Zomato.<ref>{{cite news |title=Zomato delivery row: People explain the difference between halal and jhatka meat with funny examples |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-in-india/zomato-controversy-desi-users-explain-difference-between-halal-and-jhatka-meat-with-funny-examples-5869924/ |access-date=1 August 2019 |work=The Indian Express |date=1 August 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
District is an app operated by Zomato, allowing users to discover and reserve tables at restaurants, and book tickets for movies and live events. It was launched in November 2024, after Zomato's acquisition of [[Paytm]]'s entertainment and ticketing business–Orbgen Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (TicketNew) and Wasteland Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Insider)–with approximately 280 employees transitioning to Zomato.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-16 |title=Zomato District app is live for Android and iPhone users; takes on Bookmyshow with these and more features |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/zomato-district-app-is-live-for-android-and-iphone-users-takes-on-bookmyshow-with-these-and-more-features/articleshow/115362294.cms |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Alex |first=Riya R |date=2024-11-16 |title=Zomato launches NEW 'District' app: Book movies, dining, events seamlessly on iOS, Android {{!}} Company Business News |url=https://www.livemint.com/companies/zomato-launches-new-district-app-book-movies-dining-events-seamlessly-on-ios-android-11731756670452.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129023818/https://www.livemint.com/companies/zomato-launches-new-district-app-book-movies-dining-events-seamlessly-on-ios-android-11731756670452.html |archive-date=29 January 2025 |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=mint |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-22 |title=India's Zomato expands movie and event ticketing business with $244 mln Paytm deal |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/indias-zomato-buy-paytm-ticketing-units-244-mln-2024-08-21/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>


===Logout campaign===
==See also==
On 17 August 2019, more than 1,200 restaurants logged off from Zomato because of their offer of discount programmes at dine-in restaurants.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/why-1200-restaurants-are-choosing-log-food-apps-zomato-and-dineout-107407|title=Why 1200 restaurants are choosing logging out from Zomato|website=www.thenewsminute.com|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/hotels-/-restaurants/1200-restaurants-delist-themselves-from-dine-in-programmes-across-india/articleshow/70709218.cms|title=1,200 restaurants delist themselves from dine-in programmes of Zomato, EazyDiner & others across India|date=2019-08-17|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref> In Pune alone, more than 450 restaurants stopped serving to Zomato Gold because of aggressive discounts and loss of business.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/450-restaurants-in-pune-boycott-zomato-gold/articleshow/70719423.cms|title=450 restaurants in Pune boycott Zomato Gold {{!}} Pune News - Times of India|last1=Aug 18|first1=Neha Madaan {{!}} TNN {{!}} Updated|last2=2019|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=2019-08-18|last3=Ist|first3=6:38}}</ref> Its premium subscription-based dining out service Zomato Gold had 6,500 restaurants partners and a total of 1.1 million subscribers in India as of August 2019. As part of the campaign, around 2,500 restaurants logged out from the Zomato Gold service. After Zomato made some changes, National Restaurant Association of India still refused to accept the modified version of the plan, saying that the corrective measures would not resolve the key issue of deep discounts.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Purkayastha, Debapratim and Qumer, Syeda Maseeha|date=2020|title=Can Zomato Continue its Deep Discounting Strategy?|url=https://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/Marketing/MKTG409.htm|access-date=2020-07-07|website=www.icmrindia.org}}</ref> However, Zomato founder Goyal admitted mistake, became ready to rectify it and called for sanity and truce.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/zomato-extends-olive-branch-to-restaurant-owners-says-willing-to-rectify-mistakes/story-Eaa6sGVcAtbnPVcZ7lZHtI.html|title=Ready to rectify mistakes, Zomato extends olive branch to restaurant owners|date=2019-08-18|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/founder-goyal-admits-to-mistakes-plans-to-alter-zomato-gold-scheme-119081800003_1.html|title=Founder Goyal admits to 'mistakes', plans to alter Zomato Gold scheme|last=Alawadhi|first=Karan Choudhury & Neha|date=2019-08-18|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref> He also urged restaurants to stop #Logout campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/sme/restaurants-delisting-a-wake-up-call-for-zomato-says-ceo-urges-restaurants-to-stop-logout-campaign/1678678/|title=Restaurants delisting a wake up call for Zomato, says CEO; urges restaurants to stop logout campaign|date=2019-08-18|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/info-tech/zomato-appeals-to-restaurant-owners-to-stop-logout-campaign/article29125288.ece|title=Zomato appeals to restaurant owners to stop #LogOut campaign|last=PTI|website=@businessline|language=en|access-date=2019-08-18}}</ref>
* [[Swiggy]]
 
===2021 delivery partner assault accusation===
In March 2021, a video was posted on [[Instagram]] by a Bangalore-based Hitesha Chandranee accusing Zomato delivery person of assaulting her. In the video, she accused the Zomato delivery guy for punching her as she refused to pay money for the food he delivered. She told he delivered her food very late and they both argued and had a verbal duel and then the delivery executive hit her on the nose and escaped. Hitesha then shot a video with a bleeding nose and recalled entire incident and posted it on Instagram on March 9. After few hours, her video went viral on the internet and people started demanding the arrest of the delivery person. Bangalore police then arrested the Zomato delivery executive named as Kamraj and booked him for assaulting Hitesha. Zomato temporarily suspended Kamraj and paid for Hitesha's treatment and legal charges for Kamraj. Kamraj denied the allegations and revealed that it was the girl who assaulted and abused him and her nose got hurt by her own ring amidst the scuffle. After hearing Kamraj's story and seeing inconsistencies between Hitesha's accusations and her statements, people including Bollywood actors such as [[Parineeti Chopra]] and TV actress [[Kamya Punjabi]] started tweeting and campaigning in support of Kamraj. Kamraj later lodged an FIR against Hitesha in [[Electronic City|Electronic city Police Station]] for abusing and beating him by slipper. Hitesha immediately left Bangalore and did not appear before Police. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-zomato-case-hitesha-chandranee-who-alleged-delivery-boy-kamaraj-of-assault-leaves-bengaluru-2881700|title=Zomato case: Woman who alleged delivery boy of assault leaves Bengaluru, here's why|date=2021-03-17|website=DNA India|language=en-US|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref> Hitesha also archived all the videos related to the incident from her [[Instagram]]. Hitesha's ex-roommate revealed in her Youtube comment that Hitesha had also assaulted and threatened other delivery boys to get free food. People also started comparing the incident with 2015 [[Jasleen Kaur harassment controversy|Sarvjeet Singh vs Jasleen Kaur harassment controversy]] case. Currently, police has stopped the investigation as they did not find any evidence in the case.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2021/mar/20/zomato-row-bengaluru-cops-to-drop-probeashitesha-chandranee-refuses-to-filestatement-2279296.html|title=Zomato row: Bengaluru cops to drop probe as Hitesha Chandranee refuses to file statement|date=2021-03-20|website=New India Express|language=en-US|access-date=2021-07-24}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Websites about food and drink]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:Online retailers of India]]
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[[Category:Companies based in Gurgaon]]
[[Category:Food- and drink-related organizations]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2008]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:Online food ordering]]
[[Category:Online retailers of India]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:Transport companies established in 2008]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 2008]]
[[Category:Online food ordering]]
[[Category:IOS software]]
[[Category:Android (operating system) software]]
[[Category:Universal Windows Platform apps]]
[[Category:Universal Windows Platform apps]]
[[Category:2008 establishments in Haryana]]
[[Category:Websites about food and drink]]
[[Category:Food- and drink-related organizations]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the National Stock Exchange of India]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange]]

Latest revision as of 19:42, 24 March 2026


This article is about the food delivery service. For its owner, formerly known as Zomato Limited, see Eternal Limited.

Zomato
Type of site
Online food ordering
Founded10 July 2008; 18 years ago (2008-07-10)[1]
HeadquartersGurugram, Haryana, India
Area servedIndia
OwnerEternal Limited
Founder(s)
  • Deepinder Goyal
  • Pankaj Chaddah
Key people
  • Deepinder Goyal
    (CEO & MD)
Services
RevenueIncrease ₹9,418 crore (US$1.3 billion) (FY25)[2]
Website{{URL|example.com|optional display text}}

Zomato (/zoʊˈmæˈtoʊ/ or /zoʊˈmɑːˈtoʊ/)[3] is an Indian online food ordering and delivery service owned by Eternal Limited. Created in 2008 by Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah, it began as a restaurant aggregator, providing menu information, user reviews, and recommendations, and expanding to more than 20 countries by 2015.[4] In 2015, Zomato entered the food delivery market in India, which soon after became its core business.

As of 2023, Zomato provided food delivery and table reservation options in more than 800 Indian cities, with restaurant discovery services limited to the UAE following its exit from other international markets.[5]

History[edit | edit source]

Early years (2008–2010)[edit | edit source]

On 10 July 2008, Deepinder Goyal and Pankaj Chaddah launched a restaurant-listing website named FoodieBay, while working at Bain & Company. They quit their jobs in November 2009 to focus on the website full-time, and incorporated the company on 18 January 2010 as DC Foodiebay Online Services Private Limited.[6][7] In November 2010, the website was renamed Zomato as they were unsure if they would "just stick to food" and to avoid a potential naming conflict with eBay.[6][8] A mobile app for Zomato was released the following month.[9]

Expansion (2011–2015)[edit | edit source]

Zomato logo in 2012
Availability of Zomato in 2015

With the introduction of .xxx domains in 2011, Zomato also launched zomato.xxx, a site dedicated to food porn.[10] Later in 2011, Zomato introduced online ticketing for events on its website.[11]

In 2011, Zomato expanded across India to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.[12] In 2012, it expanded operations internationally in several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka,[13] Qatar,[14] the United Kingdom,[15] the Philippines,[14] and South Africa.[16] In 2013, it expanded to New Zealand,[17] Turkey, Brazil, and Indonesia, with websites and apps available in Turkish, Portuguese, Indonesian, and English languages.[18] In April 2014, it was launched in Chile and Portugal, which was followed by launches in Canada, Lebanon, and Ireland in 2015.[19][20][21]

In January 2015, Zomato acquired Seattle-based restaurant discovery portal Urbanspoon, which led to the firm's entry into the United States and Australia.[22] This U.S. expansion brought Zomato into direct competition with similar models such as Yelp and Foursquare.[22] In June 2015, Zomato announced the closure of Urbanspoon, with its traffic being redirected to Zomato.[23]

Entry into food delivery (2015–2019)[edit | edit source]

Zomato's logo from 2016 to 2018

In March 2015, Zomato started its food delivery service in India,[24] initially partnering with hyperlocal logistics companies such as Delhivery, Grab and Runnr to fulfill deliveries from restaurants that did not have their own delivery service.[25][26] After acquiring Runnr in 2017, it transitioned to delivering with its own fleet.[26][27]

In January 2016, it launched table reservation feature on its application in India.[28]

In February 2017, it introduced a paid membership program called Zomato Gold using which subscribers could get offers and discounts on dining and food delivery at Zomato's partner restaurants.[29]

In March 2019, Zomato's UAE food delivery business was sold to Talabat.[30]

2020–present[edit | edit source]

In January 2020, Zomato acquired Uber Eats' India business in an all-stock deal, giving Uber a 9.99% stake in the company. Following the acquisition, Uber Eats discontinued its standalone operations in India, and its users and restaurant partners were migrated to Zomato's platform. According to industry estimates at the time, Uber Eats had a market share of less than 5%, while the acquisition was projected to increase Zomato's market share to 52%.[31][32]

Between April and June 2020, owing to a rising demand for online grocery ordering amid the COVID-19 lockdown, Zomato delivered groceries and essentials under a service named Zomato Market in over 80 Indian cities.[33][34] In April 2020, it introduced contactless dining at its partner restaurants.[35] In May 2020, Zomato started delivering alcohol in West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha,[36] before pulling out in April 2021, citing poor unit economics and scalability.[37]

In November 2021, Zomato announced that it would cease its services in all countries except India and the UAE.[38] By early 2024, it had completed the liquidation of more than 10 overseas subsidiaries, which were primarily focused on restaurant discovery and reviews.[39][40][41]

In August 2022, Zomato launched an inter-city food delivery service called Legends,[42] which was stopped two years later.[43]

Security breaches[edit | edit source]

On 4 June 2015, an Indian security researcher hacked the Zomato website and gained access to information about 62.5 million users. Using the vulnerability, he was able to access the personal data of users such as telephone numbers, email addresses, and Instagram private photos using their Instagram access token. Zomato fixed the issue within 48 hours of it becoming apparent.[44]

On 18 May 2017, a security blog called HackRead claimed that over 17 million Zomato user records including emails and password hashes had been stolen due to a security breach. The company stated that no payment information or credit card details were stolen.[45] The hacker removed the stolen user data from the dark web after Zomato agreed to start a bug bounty program.[46]

Feeding India[edit | edit source]

Started in 2014 by Ankit Kawatra, Feeding India is a nonprofit organisation focused on hunger relief initiatives in India. It operates volunteer-led meal distribution programs.[47] Feeding India was acquired by Zomato in July 2019.[48] In May 2022, Zomato claimed that Feeding India was serving over 200,000 meals every day under its Daily Feeding Program.[49]

Zomato Feeding India has organised benefit concerts in Mumbai to raise awareness about malnutrition in India; it was headlined by Post Malone (in 2022)[50] and Dua Lipa (in 2024).[51]

District[edit | edit source]

District is an app operated by Zomato, allowing users to discover and reserve tables at restaurants, and book tickets for movies and live events. It was launched in November 2024, after Zomato's acquisition of Paytm's entertainment and ticketing business–Orbgen Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (TicketNew) and Wasteland Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Insider)–with approximately 280 employees transitioning to Zomato.[52][53][54]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Singh, Nandini (10 July 2024). "Zomato celebrates '16th janamdin' with unique ad, Paytm CEO joins the party". Business Standard.
  2. ↑ "Shareholders' Letter and Results - Q4FY25" (PDF). Eternal Limited. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  3. ↑ "How does one pronounce 'Zomato'? CEO Deepinder Goyal says..." Mint. 9 April 2023. Archived from the original on 17 April 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  4. ↑ Khosla, Varuni; Srinivasan, Supraja. "Zomato co-founder Pankaj Chaddah quits as it shuffles top management". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  5. ↑ Krishna, Tanya (30 October 2023). "Zomato delivered 647 million orders worth Rs 263.1 billion across 800 cities during FY23, says Rakesh Ranjan". Financial Express. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Srikanth, Chandra R (29 April 2021). "The cold email that shaped Zomato's destiny". economictimes. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  7. ↑ "SEBI | Zomato Limited - RHP". www.sebi.gov.in. Zomato. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  8. ↑ Verma, Shrutika (6 February 2015). "Zomato: India's first global app". mint. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "How Foodiebay became Zomato". Businesstoday.in. 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  10. ↑ Menon, Rashmi (10 October 2014). "People looking for food porn come to Zomato.xxx, says founder Deepinder Goyal". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Zomato.com forays into online ticketing for events". BusinessLine. 20 December 2011. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Zomato launches first local-search android application". Indiainfoline.com. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  13. ↑ "After UAE, Zomato expands into Sri Lanka; adds a Colombo section". Techcircle.vccircle.com. 5 November 2012. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Zomato Expands to Philippines; Dubai Operations Break Even & Future Expansion Plans". MediaNama. 21 March 2013. Archived from the original on 23 March 2013. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  15. ↑ "After UAE & Sri Lanka, Zomato expands into Europe; adds a London section". Techcircle.vccircle.com. 9 January 2013. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  16. ↑ "Zomato launches in South Africa » NextBigWhat". Nextbigwhat.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  17. ↑ "Update: Zomato Breaks Even In India; Expands To New Zealand". MediaNama.com. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Zomato tackles new languages for first time, takes restaurant listings to Indonesia, Turkey". Techinasia.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  19. ↑ "Zomato launches in Canada". MediaNama.com. 22 October 2014. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  20. ↑ "Zomato launches Lebanon section; expands into Middle East". Exchange4media.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Zomato launches in Ireland, opens revenue source by making advertisement live on its app". Firstpost.com. 26 November 2014. Archived from the original on 27 December 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 "Restaurant Discovery Site Zomato Buys IAC's Urbanspoon, Enters The U.S." TechCrunch. 12 January 2015. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  23. ↑ Pahwa, Akanksha (2 June 2015). "Zomato Announces Final Closure Of Urbanspoon Brand, Traffic Diverted To Zomato's App". Inc42 Media. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  24. ↑ "Restaurant Discovery Site Zomato To Launch Food Delivery Service, Starting In India". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  25. ↑ Rai, Archana (12 January 2016). "Zomato shuts down online ordering operations in 4 cities". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Sen, Anirban (13 September 2017). "Zomato acquires food delivery start-up Runnr". Livemint.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  27. ↑ Sharma, Samidha (6 June 2017). "Zomato set to buy Runnr as fight with Swiggy heats up". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  28. ↑ "Zomato starts table reservations with Book". Techcircle. 14 January 2016. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  29. ↑ "Zomato Gold Membership Programme Launched, Coming Soon to India". NDTV Gadgets 360. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  30. ↑ "Zomato sells UAE business to Talabat owner". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 3 January 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  31. ↑ Tiwary, Avanish (21 January 2020). "Uber Eats sold its India business to local competitor Zomato for USD 206 million (Update)". KrASIA. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  32. ↑ "Uber Eats Acquired by Zomato: Uber sells food delivery business for 9.99% stake in Zomato". The Times of India. Times Internet. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  33. ↑ "Zomato taps into grocery spurt amid Covid-19 lockdown; competes with BigBasket, Grofers, Swiggy, others". Financial Express. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  34. ↑ "Zomato Gives Up Grocery Plans As It Shifts Focus Entirely To Food Delivery". Inc42 Media. 5 June 2020. Archived from the original on 28 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  35. ↑ Bhushan, Ratna (18 April 2020). "Zomato introduces contactless dining". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  36. ↑ "Zomato, Swiggy launch alcohol delivery service in Odisha". The Financial Express. 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  37. ↑ "Zomato Exits Alcohol Delivery Due To Cashburn Even As Swiggy Stays Put". Inc42 Media. 24 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  38. ↑ "Zomato has officially pulled out of all international markets". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  39. ↑ "Popular food review website leaves Australia". 9News. Archived from the original on 14 March 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  40. ↑ Bevin, Andrew (10 April 2023). "The reason menu broker Zomato has quietly exited New Zealand". Newsroom. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  41. ↑ Jaswal, Mansi (6 January 2024). "Zomato exits almost all foreign markets, liquidates 10 overseas subsidiaries in less than a year". Mint. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  42. ↑ "Zomato launches 'Intercity legends': Now order food from other cities, here's how it will work". The Indian Express. 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  43. ↑ Roy, Supriya (22 August 2024). "Zomato shuts down intercity food delivery service Legends". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  44. ↑ "Tech in Asia - Connecting Asia's startup ecosystem". Techinasia.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  45. ↑ Thomas, Anu. "Zomato hacked - Security breach results in 17 million user data stolen". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  46. ↑ "Zomato explains how it got hacked, and it's complicated: Here's a simpler explanation". Business Today. 24 May 2017. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  47. ↑ Nair, Divya. "The 24 year old who wants to feed India". Rediff. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  48. ↑ "Zomato acquires food donation start-up Feeding India". Mint. 9 July 2019. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  49. ↑ "Update: Now serving Two Lakh meals a day under the 'Daily Feeding Program'". Zomato. Archived from the original on 26 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  50. ↑ "Rapper Post Malone arrives in Mumbai for his first India concert later today". Business Today. 10 December 2022. Archived from the original on 13 November 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  51. ↑ "India, I'm coming back!: Dua Lipa announces return to India for Zomato concert". The Indian Express. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
  52. ↑ "Zomato District app is live for Android and iPhone users; takes on Bookmyshow with these and more features". The Times of India. 16 November 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  53. ↑ Alex, Riya R (16 November 2024). "Zomato launches NEW 'District' app: Book movies, dining, events seamlessly on iOS, Android | Company Business News". mint. Archived from the original on 29 January 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  54. ↑ "India's Zomato expands movie and event ticketing business with $244 mln Paytm deal". Reuters. 22 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2025.

External links[edit | edit source]

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