Foodservice

Zomato pilots food vending machines in India offices

Mojahid Mottakin - stock.adobe.com

August 24, 2026

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Zomato is reportedly testing food vending machines at corporate offices in Gurugram, India, as the Eternal-owned food delivery platform explores another approach to rapid foodservice, according to a New India Express report. The machines, branded Zomato Now, are being operated in partnership with restaurants and effectively move prepared food closer to customers rather than relying solely on faster last-mile delivery.

The pilot comes as Zomato experiments with several foodservice models and works to strengthen relationships with restaurants, some of which have objected to promotional fees and other charges imposed by delivery platforms. Zomato's established food delivery operation remains a major source of profit for parent company Eternal. In the first quarter of fiscal 2027, the business generated adjusted EBITDA of about $63.3 million and operating profit of about $64.9 million, while revenue rose 37% from a year earlier to approximately $324 million.

Eternal reported consolidated first-quarter net profit of approximately $9.6 million, up from about $2.6 million a year earlier, while operating revenue climbed 182% to roughly $2.11 billion. Zomato's platform fees generated about $16.1 million during the quarter. The vending machine pilot could give the company another way to expand food availability while reducing its dependence on conventional delivery for workplace customers.