Zomato Loophole Goes Viral As Users Combine App Orders With Direct Restaurant Payments

On May 26, 2026, a social media post by user Prem Soni went viral, gaining over a million views. It outlined how customers could exploit Zomato’s logistics while avoiding platform charges and commissions. The revelation has sparked debate among consumers, restaurateurs, and industry experts about the sustainability of food delivery economics.

How The Loophole Works

The method involves placing a token order on Zomato, such as a single roti worth ₹40, while simultaneously ordering a larger meal directly from the restaurant via phone or WhatsApp. The customer pays the restaurant directly through UPI and asks them to pack everything together. The Zomato rider unknowingly delivers the full order, but Zomato only records the small item.

Impact On Zomato And Restaurants

• This practice effectively turns Zomato into a subsidised logistics service.
• Zomato bears delivery costs but earns only a fraction of expected commission.
• Restaurants retain full margins on the off-platform portion, avoiding the typical 25–30% aggregator cut.
• Customers save money by avoiding surge pricing, platform fees, and inflated menu prices.
• Prem Soni warned: “If this spreads, the unit economics of food delivery don’t just dip—they bleed out from the inside.”

Consumer And Industry Reactions

Some users praised the hack as clever, while others called it unethical. Suggestions to plug the loophole included invoice verification, photo-based delivery confirmations, and stricter monitoring. Restaurateurs noted that while direct orders improve margins, they risk suspension or removal from Zomato if caught.

Key Highlights

•⁠  ⁠Viral post by Prem Soni shows Zomato loophole combining app orders with direct payments

•⁠  ⁠Example: ₹40 roti ordered via Zomato, ₹1,200 meal ordered directly, delivered together

•⁠  ⁠Restaurants avoid 25–30% aggregator commission, customers skip platform fees and surcharges

•⁠  ⁠Zomato has not yet issued an official clarification

•⁠  ⁠Debate continues over ethics, scalability, and risks for restaurants and consumers

Sources: Moneycontrol, NewsBytes, InsightfulTake