Following reports that the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) may approach the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to raise concerns about the rise of standalone 10-minute food delivery apps, Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa took to social media to clarify the company’s position. He emphasized that Zomato, Blinkit’s parent company, has no intention of launching private brands to compete with its restaurant partners on the main app.

Dhindsa further explained that Zomato would not be using its platform to promote its new 10-minute food service, Bistro. While acknowledging that this decision could be costly, he firmly stated that maintaining ethical business practices takes precedence over financial considerations.

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This statement came in response to concerns raised by Sagar Daryani, president of the NRAI, who criticized foodtech companies for withholding customer data from restaurant partners. Daryani argued that while food delivery giants have access to valuable consumer insights, they do not share this information with the restaurants, which rely on it for their business strategies.

In his response on X, Dhindsa reassured the industry by stating, “The companies we work with on Bistro also collaborate with a number of restaurants. Our success with Bistro can bring significant value to the entire food and restaurant ecosystem.” He further clarified that Bistro operates as a separate app, distinct from Blinkit and Zomato, and is currently available in select areas of Gurugram as part of the process to find the right product-market fit.

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The controversy comes at a time when both Zomato and Swiggy have launched 10-15 minute food delivery services—Zomato’s Bistro and Swiggy’s Snacc. The NRAI has voiced concerns that these services might be steering customers away from restaurant partners by leveraging valuable consumer data. The association has also lobbied the government to grant the food services sector industry status, which they believe would protect restaurants, delivery partners, and consumers from potentially exploitative practices by foodtech platforms.

Previously, the NRAI accused food delivery companies of engaging in anti-competitive behavior, citing issues like bundled services, high commission fees, delayed payments, and one-sided contract terms.