NRAI Signs MoU with Ownly to Explore Zero-Commission Food Delivery Model

Rapido-backed food delivery platform Ownly has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), formalising a partnership aimed at exploring delivery models focused on transparent pricing and improved restaurant economics.

The agreement was announced during the "Serving Bengaluru Together" conference held in Bengaluru, attended by NRAI leadership, Ownly executives and restaurant partners. The collaboration will see NRAI work with Ownly to assess the scalability of its zero-commission delivery model while exploring approaches that create value for restaurants and customers.

Sagar Daryani, President, National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), CEO & Co-founder, Wow! Momo, said, "The restaurant industry has been seeking greater transparency and predictability in food delivery for a long time. As an industry body, our role is to work with ecosystem partners to explore models that can better address these needs and create long-term value for restaurants. This partnership with Ownly is part of that larger effort. It gives us an opportunity to understand how a zero-commission model works in practice, gather feedback from our members and continue advocating for solutions that strengthen the restaurant ecosystem while delivering a better experience for consumers."

Ownly, which expanded citywide in Bengaluru in March 2026 after piloting operations in Koramangala and HSR Layout in August 2025, reported that partner restaurants have seen improved margins and higher repeat order rates since the rollout.

Aravind Sanka, Head, Ownly, said, "The numbers since March are telling us something we already believed: when you remove the hidden costs, both sides of the market respond. The repeat rates we are seeing are higher than anything we saw in the pilot. That is what happens when diners trust the price on the screen, and when restaurants are not engineering their menus around a commission they resent. We built Ownly to make food delivery feel fair – for the person ordering and for the kitchen that cooked it. What we are seeing in Bengaluru tells us that fairness is also good business."

During discussions at the event, NRAI outlined key priorities for delivery platforms, including transparent fee structures, predictable commercial terms and greater collaboration with restaurant operators. The association said it will continue to monitor outcomes and share learnings with its members.

Ananth Narayan, Founder, JustBLR Group and NRAI Bengaluru Chapter Head, said, "Bengaluru has always had a vibrant restaurant community and an equally engaged consumer base that continues to shape the city’s food delivery ecosystem. This partnership with Ownly is an opportunity to further strengthen delivery models that better support restaurants while enhancing convenience and value for consumers. It reflects the industry's continued effort to work collaboratively with ecosystem partners and build solutions that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the restaurant and food delivery."

The partnership comes as restaurant operators continue to evaluate alternative delivery models that offer greater cost visibility and margin protection in an increasingly competitive online food delivery market.