How Much Commission Does Zomato Take (And What You Actually Keep)

Most restaurant owners think:

👉 “Zomato takes 20–25% commission”

But that’s not the real number.

We spoke to multiple restaurant owners…

And in many cases, the actual cost per order was closer to 35–40%.

Not because Zomato increased commission.

But because of everything else added on top.

So the real question is not:

👉 “What is Zomato commission?”

The real question is:

👉 “How much money do you actually receive per order?”

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• Real Zomato commission in 2026
• Hidden costs most restaurants ignore
• Actual profit per order (with example)

1️⃣ Zomato Commission in 2026 (Reality)

In 2026, Zomato commission in India typically ranges:

👉 18% to 30% per order

This depends on:

• City tier
• Competition
• Delivery model
• Contract terms
• Order volume

⚠️ Important:
This is just the base commission - not the final cost.

💣 What Most Restaurants Don’t Realize

Two restaurants can get the same number of Zomato orders…

But one makes profit, and the other keeps struggling.

Why?

Because commission is only one part of the cost.

If you don’t track:

• Discounts
• Ads
• Packaging
• Food cost

You’re not calculating profit - you’re guessing.

👉 If you want to understand your total system cost: Restaurant POS Software Price in India

2️⃣ Zomato Cost Structure (Full Breakdown)

Here’s what usually applies:

🔹 Platform Commission

👉 18% – 25% of order value

🔹 Delivery Cost

If Zomato delivers, cost may be:

• Included in commission slab
• Or added separately

🔹 Payment Gateway Charges

👉 1.5% – 2% per order

🔹 GST on Commission

GST applies on commission + service charges

👉 Many restaurants ignore this while calculating margins

3️⃣ Real Example: ₹1,000 Order Breakdown

Let’s break it down:

Order Value: ₹1,000

• Commission (22%) → ₹220
• Payment Charges → ₹20
• Discount Share → ₹50
• GST on Commission → ₹40

👉 Amount received: ~₹670

Now subtract:

• Food cost (35–45%)
• Packaging
• Kitchen expenses

👉 Your actual profit becomes very small

⚠️ Reality Check

High sales ≠ High profit

This is where most restaurants go wrong.

4️⃣ Hidden Costs That Kill Profit

Most restaurant owners only calculate commission.

But real cost includes:

❌ Zomato Ads

To stay visible:

👉 ₹3,000 – ₹25,000/month

Without ads → fewer orders

❌ Discount Participation

Festival offers & campaigns reduce margins directly

❌ Menu Price Adjustment

Some increase price by 10–20%

But higher price → lower conversion

5️⃣ Effective Cost Can Reach 30–40%

When you combine:

• Commission
• Delivery
• Payment charges
• Discounts
• Ads

👉 Total cost per order can reach 30–40%

This is where profit disappears.

📊 Not Sure If You're Actually Profitable?

Most restaurants don’t track:

• Zomato vs dine-in profit
• Category-wise margin
• Discount impact

We help restaurants identify:

• Where money is leaking
• Which orders are profitable
• What needs to be fixed

👉 Send message on WhatsApp for a free audit

6️⃣ How to Calculate Real Profit Per Order

Use this:

Order Value
– Commission
– Delivery
– Payment charges
– Discounts
– GST
– Food cost
– Packaging

= Net Profit

👉 If you’re not calculating this daily, you’re running blind

🔗 Want to Track This Properly?

👉 Read: Restaurant Inventory Management Guide
👉 Read: Swiggy Charges Guide
👉 Read: Restaurant POS Price in India

7️⃣ Is Zomato Worth It?

👉 YES - if used correctly

Zomato helps in:

• Customer discovery
• Brand visibility
• Extra orders

But problem starts when:

❌ You depend fully on Zomato
❌ You don’t track margins

🔥 Smart Strategy

A healthy restaurant model includes:

• Dine-in
• Direct orders
• Repeat customers
• Multiple platforms

👉 Not just Zomato

🚀 Final Thought

Zomato is not expensive.

👉 Untracked operations are expensive.

If you don’t know:

• Your cost per order
• Your real profit

Then even high sales won’t help.

🚀 Want to Control Your Profit?

If you want a system that:

✔ Tracks every order
✔ Shows real profit
✔ Identifies loss areas

👉 Book a Free Demo of BillBoox

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

1. What commission does Zomato take in 2026?
Typically 18%–30%, depending on agreement.

2. Does Zomato charge GST?
Yes, GST applies on commission and services.

3. Are ads mandatory?
No, but often required for visibility.

4. Can commission be negotiated?
Sometimes, based on volume and brand.

Disclaimer

Commission percentages and cost examples mentioned above are based on publicly available industry information and restaurant partner feedback in 2026. Actual rates may vary depending on agreement, location, and order volume. This article is for informational purposes only.

About the Author

Written by BillBoox Team - helping restaurants track profit, reduce leakage, and optimize operations.