Deepinder Goyal offers job to Bengaluru man

Zomato has recently launched an innovative “Food Rescue” feature aimed at reducing food waste by offering users the opportunity to purchase cancelled food orders at discounted prices. The initiative focuses on making “perfectly good” but unclaimed meals available to nearby users at lower rates, ensuring that the meals are securely packed and untampered with.

The company shared that it would only retain the necessary taxes from these transactions, while restaurant partners would receive both the original payment for the cancelled order and an additional amount from the resale.

Zomato’s Food Rescue Initiative Explained

Announcing the feature on X (formerly Twitter), Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal highlighted that over 400,000 orders are cancelled on the platform every day, despite the company’s no-refund policy. These cancelled orders are now part of the Food Rescue program, where customers can purchase them in their original packaging, freshly packed and ready for quick delivery.

We don't encourage order cancellation at Zomato, because it leads to a tremendous amount of food wastage.

Inspite of stringent policies, and and a no-refund policy for cancellations, more than 4 lakh perfectly good orders get canceled on Zomato, for various reasons by customers.… pic.twitter.com/fGFQQNgzGJ
— Deepinder Goyal (@deepigoyal) November 10, 2024

While some social media users expressed concerns about the safety and practicality of buying cancelled orders, many others welcomed the opportunity to access discounted meals. One particular user, Bhanu, a Bengaluru-based product manager, suggested several improvements for the feature to prevent potential misuse.

User Suggestions for Enhancing the Food Rescue Feature

Bhanu raised some thoughtful concerns, suggesting that Zomato exclude cash-on-delivery orders from the Food Rescue option. He also proposed a restriction that would prevent users from cancelling orders if the delivery partner was already within a 500-meter radius of the customer’s location, to avoid potential abuse. According to Bhanu, there could be a risk of collusion among customers, where two users might place orders and cancel them simultaneously to exploit the discounted pricing.

In addition, Bhanu recommended limiting the number of cancellations a single customer could make, capping it at two per day to discourage misuse of the feature.

Zomato CEO Responds to User Feedback

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal responded directly to Bhanu’s post, acknowledging his suggestions and confirming that several of the proposed changes, including those related to order cancellation limits and exclusion of cash-on-delivery orders, had already been implemented in the Food Rescue program. Goyal praised Bhanu’s “good thinking” and expressed interest in learning more about him, asking, “Who are you and what do you do? Would love to know you more, and see if we can work together.”

In his reply, Bhanu shared that he works as a product manager for a startup in Bengaluru and frequently provides feedback on social media to improve services, often tagging Zomato’s sister company, Blinkit. Goyal responded positively to Bhanu’s insights and hinted at his interest in recruiting individuals who provide valuable input and solutions to Zomato’s operations. Goyal has previously stated the importance he places on hiring talented individuals, including overseeing entry-level recruitment personally.

A Positive Exchange

This exchange highlights Zomato’s openness to feedback and its commitment to continuously improving its services. By incorporating user suggestions and addressing concerns, Zomato is not only tackling food waste but also enhancing its platform to better serve customers and prevent misuse. As the “Food Rescue” feature continues to evolve, it promises to offer both environmental and economic benefits, giving users access to affordable meals while minimizing food waste.