Restaurant India News: Zomato Healthy High-Five Challenge Crosses 15 Lakh Orders in Two Weeks

Zomato’s Healthy High-Five challenge is showing measurable shifts in consumer ordering patterns across urban India. The data indicates that customers are increasingly prioritising protein-focused meals rather than treating them as secondary choices.

Since February 1, more than 10 lakh users have participated in the challenge, collectively placing over 15 lakh orders for meals containing more than 20 grams of protein. According to platform data, over 10,000 customers have already unlocked their first free meal by completing the required milestones, suggesting repeat participation rather than one-time engagement.

Individual ordering patterns further highlight frequency trends. A user in Bengaluru has logged 33 high-protein orders within two weeks, earning multiple free meals during the period. Since the Healthy Mode feature was introduced in late 2025, a Chennai-based customer has placed 811 orders through the health-focused filter. These figures indicate sustained usage behaviour rather than short-term experimentation.

Metro markets continue to drive participation volumes. Bengaluru leads with 3.78 lakh high-fives, followed by Delhi and Mumbai. Grilled chicken has emerged as the most ordered item under the challenge, crossing 1 lakh orders in February. The preference suggests that customers are opting for familiar dishes that align with nutritional targets instead of shifting to unfamiliar formats.

Aditya Mangla, CEO, Zomato, said, “We’ve always felt that people want to make healthier choices. They just need it to be simpler and more accessible. The Healthy High-five challenge was our small attempt to enable that. Two weeks in, with over 10 lakh customers participating, it’s encouraging to see not just orders come in, but early signs of habits taking shape.”

Since the rollout of Healthy Mode on the Zomato app in late 2025, the feature has generated 74 lakh orders from 12 lakh customers. The company has also recorded a 20 percent increase in orders for dishes tagged with ‘High’ healthy scores compared to September’25, reflecting rising interest in nutrition-indexed ordering filters.

The Healthy High-Five challenge will continue until the end of February 2026. To qualify, customers must order dishes containing a minimum of 20g of protein and a high Healthy Score, which evaluates protein, complex carbohydrates, fibre and micronutrients rather than calories alone. Each qualifying delivered order earns a ‘High-five’, and four High-fives unlock a free dish from a curated high-nutrition menu within Healthy Mode.

The data highlights how algorithm-driven nudges, gamification and measurable nutrition metrics can influence ordering behaviour at scale. The trend may translate into higher demand for protein-forward menu engineering, while platforms continue to use structured incentives to shape consumption patterns.