India’s first 0% commission food delivery platform, Waayu, has announced its expansion into Tier-2 cities, beginning with Belagavi. The announcement was made at an event held at Pai Resort on 19th February, where over 350 restaurant owners, industry leaders, and stakeholders gathered to learn more about the platform’s potential.
With its operations already established in Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru, Waayu aims to bridge the gap in food delivery services by bringing advanced technology and platform solutions to smaller cities. The event was attended by Waayu’s Co-Founder & CEO, Mandar Lande; MD & Co-Founder, Anirudha Kotgire; Ajay Pai, President of Belagavi Association; and Prashad Vantmouri, Waayu Belagavi Franchise and Namaste Delivery Owner.
“We recognise the shortage of delivery partners in smaller markets, and Waayu seeks to build new opportunities for local businesses, including restaurants and e-commerce platforms, through a well-organised and effective network,” said Mandar Lande and Anirudha Kotgire. “The initiative will also aim at reskilling the workforce, empowering them with AI capabilities to foster growth and job creation in these regions.”
Ajay Pai, President of the Belagavi Association, expressed support for the initiative, highlighting the challenges faced by restaurant owners in the face of rising commission rates from platforms like Swiggy and Zomato. “For restaurant owners, food delivery platforms have long been an essential part of our business model. However, with Swiggy and Zomato continuously increasing their commission rates—recently by an additional 2%—the financial pressure has become overwhelming. With WAAYU’s launch in our city, we now have a much-needed alternative. By offering a 0% commission model through its partnership with ONDC, WAAYU provides restaurants with the chance to keep more of their earnings while continuing to serve customers effectively. Hence, I urge every restaurant owner to join WAAYU and seize this opportunity to take control of their business.”
Waayu’s entry into Belagavi marks a significant milestone as it plans to extend its operations further across Karnataka and other states in India. By onboarding more restaurants, the platform aims to enhance restaurant and customer satisfaction through curated dining experiences. Its 0% commission model supports local restaurants in boosting profit margins and offering quality food at competitive prices.
