Train travel has long been synonymous with comfort and affordability. Yet, beyond its classic appeal, it has evolved into a hub for culinary adventures in recent times. Programs like the IRCTC ecatering policy, in collaboration with trusted partners like Zoop, offer passengers an extensive menu for ordering food through IRCTC.
The IRCTC Corporate Plan for FY24-28 indicates that, in FY22, catering services accounted for 27% of total income, coming in second only to online ticketing. The growing appeal of onboard dining is demonstrated by the significant increase in demand for online meal orders placed on trains during busy times like holidays and festivals. It is anticipated that the market would reach INR 1,845.76 billion by the end of FY28 and grow at a robust 30% CAGR from FY23 to FY28, demonstrating significant growth potential in this industry.
In order to provide hygienic, tasty, and fresh food on trains, Zoop, a leading authorised ecatering partner of IRCTC, began operations in 2016. By bringing food delivery services on trains, Zoop has partnered with IRCTC to improve the convenience of train travel and is now a proud ecatering partner of the IRCTC.
Presently, Zoop boasts a monthly revenue surpassing INR 2 crores and delivers 60,000 meals per month, with 400,000 meals served in the last quarter alone. Operating at over 180 train stations across India, Zoop achieved a milestone of 2 million train meals served in 2023.
In 2023, Zoop introduced several innovative initiatives that significantly contributed to its growth and transformed the way people travel. These initiatives encompassed a diverse range of platforms and services aimed at enhancing the convenience and accessibility of train food ordering.
Collaborating with Jio Haptik, Zoop launched the WhatsApp Train Food Delivery service, available in both Hindi and Hinglish. This innovative solution leveraged a user-friendly automated Chatbot on WhatsApp, simplifying the process of ordering food for train journeys and catering to a broader customer base.
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Additionally, Zoop introduced a Google Chatbot service tailored for train passengers. This enabled them to effortlessly place food orders, track PNR statuses, and manage orders directly within the chat interface by searching “Zoop” on Google.
Leveraging the popularity of social media, Zoop unveiled the Instagram Chatbot, Ziva. This allowed train travelers to order food on the go using their Instagram accounts with just a few taps.
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Furthermore, in collaboration with the online payment platform Simpl, Zoop introduced the ‘Pay At Delivery’ payment option. This eliminated the need for upfront payments, providing passengers with the convenience of paying only upon food delivery.
These initiatives collectively revolutionized the food ordering experience for train travelers, marking a significant milestone in Zoop’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction.
Puneet Sharma, the Founder of Zoop, commented, “We initiated our services even before food delivery options were accessible for trains. By partnering and aligning with IRCTC ecatering, our objective has always been to deliver hot, fresh, and hygienic meals from FSSAI-approved restaurants directly to train seats. Having served 2 million train meals in FY 2023, we are now targeting a revenue of INR 50 Cr for FY 2024. We are expanding our operations to include more train stations across India and aiming to be available at 250 stations by the end of the year.”
Furthermore, Zoop provides 24/7 food ordering options, including pre-ordering, group orders, and specialized dietary choices such as Jain and festive cuisine from a selection of over 2,500 FSSAI-certified restaurants. In addition to food services, Zoop offers features like PNR status, platform locator, train schedule, and coach position checks, simplifying passenger inquiries and improving the convenience of food delivery.
With the Railway Ministry’s plan to replace pantry car services on 300 trains with AC-3 tier coaches, aiming to increase revenue by INR 1,400 crore and shift meal services to base kitchens, e-catering, and train-side vending machines, Zoop is committed to providing hassle-free food ordering and delivery for train passengers. Zoop will cater to the diverse preferences of passengers seamlessly, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.
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