Restaurant India News: Zomato, MakeMyTrip, and Swiggy Redefine Railway F&B with Seat Delivery at Scale

Train seat delivery is rapidly emerging as one of the most significant new distribution channels for food brands in India. By Diwali, Zomato in partnership with MakeMyTrip will extend seat delivery services to 130 railway stations across the country. Swiggy is already active at more than 100 stations, underscoring the scale and momentum of this model.

The opportunity is clear. Unlike traditional outlets that rely on footfall, seat delivery eliminates dependency on walk-ins. Orders come directly to the brand from a steady stream of passengers — families, groups, and individuals — translating into predictable volumes every day. For operators, the economics are compelling: there is no rent, yet there is access to thousands of new customers daily.

Food types that travel well are best positioned to benefit. Items such as thalis, biryanis, parathas, and rolls are particularly suited for long-distance journeys and group orders. With families and large groups often booking together, combo meals and shareable dishes have strong potential in this segment.

For food brands, the onboarding process is straightforward. Businesses need only connect with their point of contact and register to become part of the network. From there, they gain access to a high-volume customer base without the fixed costs of setting up traditional outlets.

This is not a short-term marketing experiment. Train seat delivery represents a structural shift in how food can be distributed at scale in India. The combination of zero rental overheads, consistent demand, and nationwide reach makes it a powerful new growth avenue for restaurant brands. As the railway network continues to modernize and food delivery platforms expand their presence, the question for operators is no longer whether this model will succeed, but whether they are ready to participate.