Selecting the right food delivery platform or technology vendor in India requires more than comparing features or pricing pages. In 2026, the Indian food delivery ecosystem is complex, highly competitive, and deeply localized. A well-structured Request for Proposal (RFP) helps restaurants, cloud kitchens, enterprises, and aggregators evaluate vendors objectively while minimizing long-term risks.
Platform Coverage & Market Presence
Understanding where and how a platform operates is critical, especially in a diverse market like India. A strong food delivery app development strategy ensures that platforms can scale smoothly across metro cities as well as Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions without compromising performance or user experience.
Key RFP Questions:
Which Indian cities, Tier-2, and Tier-3 regions do you actively serve in 2026?
How does your food delivery app development approach help maintain consistent service quality across different regions?
What is your average order volume per city, and how does technology support demand fluctuations?
Can you share city-wise performance benchmarks or case studies driven by your food delivery app development capabilities?
Pricing Model & Cost Transparency
Pricing structures vary widely across food delivery platforms. Hidden costs can significantly affect margins.
Key RFP Questions:
What commission structure do you follow (fixed, variable, or hybrid)?
Are delivery fees dynamic or location-based?
What additional charges apply (marketing fees, surge pricing, cancellation fees)?
How frequently do pricing models change, and how are partners notified?
Clear answers here prevent unexpected cost escalations and future disputes.
Reviews, Ratings & Reputation Management
Customer reviews directly influence order volumes and brand trust.
Key RFP Questions:
How are restaurant and delivery partner ratings calculated?
Can businesses respond to customer reviews within the platform?
What systems exist to flag fake or malicious reviews?
How do low ratings impact restaurant visibility in search results?
Vendors with transparent review management systems usually offer better long-term brand protection.
Technology Stack & Platform Capabilities
A platform’s technical strength determines reliability during peak hours and festive surges. A well-planned on-demand food delivery app development approach ensures that systems remain stable, responsive, and scalable even under sudden demand spikes.
Key RFP Questions:
What core technologies power your platform, such as cloud infrastructure, AI-driven routing, and advanced analytics, within your on-demand food delivery app development framework?
How do you manage high traffic during festivals, flash sales, or promotional campaigns through optimized on-demand food delivery app development practices?
What is your average app uptime and order success rate during peak demand periods?
Do you provide real-time dashboards for order monitoring and performance tracking as part of your on-demand food delivery app development offering?
POS, ERP & Third-Party Integrations
Operational efficiency depends heavily on seamless integrations.
Key RFP Questions:
Which POS systems and ERPs do you currently integrate with?
Is menu, pricing, and inventory syncing automatic or manual?
How do you handle order reconciliation and billing reports?
Are APIs available for custom integrations?
Strong integration capabilities reduce manual work and operational errors.
Delivery Network & Logistics Performance
Delivery speed and reliability strongly impact customer satisfaction.
Key RFP Questions:
What is your average delivery time by city category (metro vs non-metro)?
How do you manage delivery partner availability during peak hours?
What is your policy for delayed or failed deliveries?
Do you support multiple delivery modes (bike, EV, hyperlocal hubs)?
Evaluating logistics readiness is essential for maintaining service quality.
Data Security, Compliance & Regulations
India’s data protection and food safety regulations are tightening, making compliance a critical priority for digital platforms. A secure food delivery mobile app development approach ensures that customer data, payments, and operational processes meet regulatory standards without compromising user trust.
Key RFP Questions:
How does your food delivery mobile app development process ensure compliance with Indian data protection laws and upcoming privacy regulations?
What food safety and hygiene standards are enforced on partner restaurants through your food delivery mobile app development framework?
How is customer payment data secured within your food delivery mobile app development architecture?
Are regular security and compliance audits conducted, and can audit reports be shared as part of your food delivery mobile app development practices?
Marketing Support & Growth Tools
Many platforms offer promotional tools—but effectiveness varies.
Key RFP Questions:
What in-app marketing options are available to restaurant partners?
How are featured listings and sponsored placements priced?
Do you offer data-driven insights for campaign optimization?
Can promotions be localized by city or pin code?
These answers help evaluate ROI from platform-led marketing initiatives.
Vendor Support & Account Management
Reliable support is crucial for daily operations.
Key RFP Questions:
Is dedicated account management provided?
What is the average response time for operational issues?
Do you offer 24/7 support for critical incidents?
How are disputes resolved between platforms, restaurants, and customers?
Strong support structures reduce downtime and revenue loss.
Scalability & Long-Term Partnership Fit
Your needs will evolve as your business grows.
Key RFP Questions:
How do you support multi-brand or multi-location expansion?
Can the platform handle cloud kitchens and virtual brands?
What roadmap features are planned beyond 2026?
How flexible are contract terms for scaling up or down?
These questions ensure the vendor aligns with your long-term strategy.
Exit Clauses & Risk Management
Planning for contingencies is part of smart vendor selection.
Key RFP Questions:
What are the contract exit terms and notice periods?
How is data handled upon termination?
Are there penalties for early exit?
Can historical performance data be exported?
Clear exit policies protect businesses from lock-in risks.
Final Thoughts
An effective RFP is not just about comparing prices—it’s about evaluating reliability, transparency, and long-term alignment. By asking the right questions around reviews, pricing, technology, integrations, and compliance, businesses can confidently choose from the top food delivery platforms in India (2026).
