Zomato Launches ‘Order Scheduling’ Feature To Enhance Meal Planning

In a significant development for food delivery enthusiasts, Zomato has introduced a new feature called ‘Order Scheduling,’ allowing customers to place their food orders up to two days in advance. Announced by CEO Deepinder Goyal on August 24, 2024, this feature aims to provide greater convenience and flexibility for users, particularly in managing their meal plans.

Availability and Initial Cities
The ‘Order Scheduling’ feature is currently available at approximately 13,000 restaurants in major cities including Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Lucknow, and Jaipur. However, this service is limited to orders exceeding ₹1,000, a threshold set to ensure that participating restaurants can consistently meet demand and maintain kitchen preparation time.

Goyal explained the rationale behind selecting these cities, stating, “These restaurants historically have high quantities of dishes in stock and have shown kitchen-preparation-time consistency.” He also mentioned that Zomato plans to expand this feature to more cities and restaurants in the future, with the intention of eventually allowing order scheduling for all order values.

User Reactions and Anticipation
The announcement has been met with enthusiasm from users on social media, many of whom expressed appreciation for a feature they felt was long overdue. Comments ranged from users noting the practicality of scheduling meals in advance to those highlighting the convenience it provides for busy workdays. One user remarked, “On days when the cook is on leave, I can schedule my lunch before leaving from home,” underscoring the feature’s potential to ease daily meal planning.

Context and Recent Changes
This launch comes shortly after Zomato discontinued its intercity food delivery service, ‘Zomato Legends,’ which allowed customers to order from restaurants across multiple cities. Goyal noted that the decision to shut down Legends was made after two years of attempting to find a suitable market fit. The introduction of the ‘Order Scheduling’ feature reflects Zomato’s ongoing efforts to innovate and adapt to customer needs in a competitive food delivery landscape.

Conclusion
Zomato’s ‘Order Scheduling’ feature represents a promising step toward enhancing user experience in meal planning and ordering. As the company continues to refine its services, customers can look forward to greater flexibility and convenience in their food delivery options. With plans for expansion and the potential for more inclusive features, Zomato is positioning itself as a leader in the evolving food delivery market.