Food delivery partners or "hunger saviours", as a firm calls them, have become a pervasive phenomenon on city roads. Carrying hot food or cold coffees in their backpacks, they negotiate snarling traffic and often race against time to satiate many in the comfort of their living rooms.
Denizens are now eager to taste a multiplicities of flavours, go beyond their kitchens to have desired food delivered at their doorstep.
Mobile phone app-based doorstep food delivery services, which were an additional feature for restaurants some time ago, have become integral to the already thriving eatery businesses in the city.
"Eating out was definitely everyone’s favourite time but not any more. Various factors like increased waiting time and lack of parking space have troubled me many times when I go out with family. I instead order multiple dishes from multiple eateries in a hassle-free manner, and have them delivered at home, which is more convenient," says B. Ashok, employee at a private firm.
While delivery services are letting consumers save time and money, it’s providing employment to many educated youth, making it a win-win situation.
"It is a great opportunity for both merchants and consumers. People can access more outlets and can order from faraway areas. At the same time, outlets
are also able to serve more number of people. Cities like Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam offer a great opportunity for us as well," said Mendiratta Chandan, assistant vice-president, Emerging Markets at Zomato, which is operating in Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Guntur, Tirupati and Kakinada in the State.
What is the most ordered dish? "Vijayawada is a biryani-loving city," chuckles Mr. Chandan.
The services have come as a boon for independent eateries as well whose presence at one place is not deterring them to cater out to a larger consumer base.
The 8 Millet House, which opened in August at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium complex, became an instant hit for its organic food among those seeking a healthy diet. When the eatery roped in delivery apps, it benefited them immensely.
"We serve an equal number of online orders and dine-in orders of millet dishes, and ice creams and shakes at our store," says Desu Mahesh, one of the directors of 8 Millet House.
With more delivery services foraying into the food scene of the city, competition among services has increased. A majority of eateries that serve meals, breakfast, snacks, fast food, milkshakes, organic food and fruit juices offer services on more than one app.
With a local flavour, Munchem was established two years ago as the first of the city’s own delivery service.
Four months ago, the entry of UberEats stepped up competition to deliver better, faster and cheaply.
