Zomato-owned Blinkit has launched a new venture in the food delivery sector with Bistro, a standalone app promising 10-minute food delivery. Currently being piloted in Gurugram, Bistro focuses on providing “high-quality, canteen-type food” delivered quickly and hot.
Bistro’s Approach to Quick Food Delivery
Bistro aims to capture a larger market share by making high-quality food more accessible, potentially encouraging more people to opt for “outside of home” food consumption. To achieve this, Blinkit is investing in infrastructure and R&D to streamline the food supply chain, allowing Bistro to prepare tasty dishes within 5 minutes or less.
The app emphasizes fresh ingredients and preparation, with Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa stating that Bistro avoids the use of preservatives, food processors, and microwaved processed food.
Bistro’s Standalone Operations
Despite being under the Zomato umbrella, Bistro operates independently from both Zomato and Blinkit. Dhindsa clarified that Bistro is a separate entity with a dedicated team and app, and no Zomato restaurant data has been used in its development. He further emphasized that Zomato will not be used to market Bistro.
NRAI’s Concerns and Potential Action
The launch of Bistro, along with Swiggy’s Snacc, has raised concerns within the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI). The association is reportedly considering approaching the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over concerns that these new standalone apps could create challenges for existing restaurant partners. The NRAI argues that these apps, by operating as private labels, could engage in anti-competitive behavior. This concern adds another layer to the ongoing case between the NRAI and the antitrust body regarding similar allegations against Zomato and Swiggy.
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