Zomato’s Protein Play, LPG Crisis Looms, and Breather To BookMyShow

India’s food delivery platforms have traditionally operated as marketplaces, acting as the bridge between restaurants and diners while collecting commissions on scale. Occasionally, a platform shifts strategy to experiment with the supply side. Zomato’s high-protein cloud kitchen pilot, Ritual, marks one of those strategic pivots.

Ritual is currently testing in Gurugram through a partnership with Massive Restaurants, the group behind Farzi Café and Louis Burger. The menu focuses on protein shakes, plant and whey blends, coffee, and nutrient-dense salads. While it might look like a niche experiment, the project actually targets three significant shifts currently reshaping the Indian food economy.

The first shift involves the structural expansion of the protein economy. India has historically faced a dietary protein deficit, yet urban consumers are pivoting toward health-conscious choices. The domestic protein supplement market is nearing the $900 million mark with steady growth. Simultaneously, the wider health food sector is on track to hit nearly $30 billion by 2026. Food-tech companies see a clear gap where consumer demand is outstripping what traditional restaurants currently offer.

Second is the professionalization of the cloud kitchen model. What started as a desperate survival tactic during the pandemic has evolved into a sophisticated layer of delivery infrastructure. Estimates suggest the Indian cloud kitchen market will exceed $2.8 billion by 2030. Nevertheless, the financial reality for independent operators remains difficult. High commissions, fluctuating ingredient costs, and unpredictable demand have pushed many smaller players out of the market.

Platforms possess a unique vantage point on these vulnerabilities because they own the data. They track which cuisines are trending, which price points drive conversions, and which neighborhoods have specific cravings. When a platform launches a proprietary brand, it is less about trial and error and more about vertical integration fueled by deep data insights.

This leads to the third shift: the transition of delivery platforms from simple marketplaces into comprehensive operators.

Zomato has already moved toward this model through Hyperpure, its B2B wing that sells ingredients to the very restaurants it serves. By supplying the raw materials and handling the final delivery, the company is effectively building an integrated loop. Ritual represents the next logical step. By identifying high-demand health categories and running them through partner kitchens, Zomato gains tighter control over quality, pricing, and profit margins.

The primary risk is a structural conflict of interest. When platforms run their own brands, neutrality becomes a concern. Restaurant partners might worry that algorithms will quietly favor platform-backed kitchens. Similar friction has appeared in other global markets where marketplaces began competing directly against their own vendors.

Despite the risks, the opportunity remains significant. High-protein, health-forward meals are still a small fraction of what is available on most Indian delivery apps. With gyms, fitness influencers, and professionals seeking convenient nutrition, the demand is there. If Ritual scales, it could become a significant business vertical rather than a localized pilot.

This experiment signals a fundamental change in growth strategy. For years, the narrative focused on increasing total order volumes. The next chapter focuses on controlling the supply layer itself.

Let’s go through what else is happening in Indian startup world - Grab your simmering cup of StartupChai.in and unwind with our hand-brewed memes.

“Darr Ka Mahaul Hai”: Looming LPG Crisis Threatens To Derail Zomato, Swiggy’s Q4

Shares of Eternal Limited fell nearly 5% to ₹213.06 while Swiggy slid to a 52-week low of ₹271.2 amid fears that an LPG supply crunch could disrupt restaurant operations.

Nearly 5 Lakh eateries depend on commercial cylinders with minimal buffer stock, raising the risk of slower order fulfilment for delivery platforms. Large QSR chains remain relatively insulated since many already rely on electric appliances instead of LPG or PNG.

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“Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan”: Zomato Rolls Out High-Protein Cloud Kitchen Brand ‘Ritual’

Zomato has quietly launched a high-protein cloud kitchen brand called Ritual, currently operating out of four locations in Gurugram as it experiments with the fast-growing health-focused food category.

The new venture is reportedly being run in partnership with restaurant and cloud kitchen operator Massive Restaurants, known for brands like Masala Library and Farzi Cafe.

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“Maamla Legal Nahi Hai”: CCI Dismisses Complaint Against BookMyShow Over Abuse Of Dominance

Competition Commission of India has dismissed a complaint accusing BookMyShow of abusing its dominant position in online movie ticketing.

The case alleged exclusive cinema agreements and higher convenience fees that could hurt rivals and consumers. However, the regulator said there was no evidence that BookMyShow had misused its market dominance.

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“Waah Kya Scene Hai”: Netflix Unveils Visual Effects Studio In Hyderabad

Netflix has launched a 32,000 sq. ft. visual effects studio in Hyderabad to support the global production network of Eyeline Studios.

The facility will focus on visual effects, generative virtual effects, and next-generation production technologies while tapping India’s growing animation talent pool. With this move, Hyderabad joins Los Angeles, Vancouver, Seoul, and London as one of Eyeline’s key global hubs.

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“Ho Raha Ambani Nirman”: Centre Eases Public Float Norms For Mega IPOs, Paving Way For Jio IPO

The Centre has eased minimum public shareholding norms for mega IPOs, clearing a potential path for the much-anticipated listing of Reliance Jio.

Under the revised rules, companies with post-issue capital above ₹5 Lakh Cr will now need to offer only 2.5% of their shares to the public at the time of listing. The move follows regulatory changes earlier cleared by SEBI to make it easier for very large companies to go public.

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1. Workspace interiors startup OfficeBanao has raised ₹34.8 Cr in a pre-Series A2 round by issuing 45,472 CCPS at ₹7,654 per share, according to its MCA filings. The round values the company at a pre-money valuation of ₹522.7 Cr and follows its earlier $6 Mn seed funding raised in 2023.

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2. P2P lending startup LenDenClub is eyeing a ₹350 Cr revenue target for FY26 after turning profitable in FY25 with a net profit of ₹28.6 Cr. The company’s LSP business now contributes about half its revenue while the P2P segment accounts for nearly 40%.

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3. Contract manufacturing startup Bidso is in talks to raise about ₹50 Cr in a round likely led by Blume Ventures with participation from existing investors. The Bengaluru-based company could be valued at around ₹250 Cr post-money.

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4. Agritech startup WayCool Foods has raised ₹210 Cr from Lightrock India after allotting 3.92 Lakh shares at ₹5,347 each. The company operates a tech-driven farm-to-market supply chain, working with over 85,000 farmers through its ‘Outgrow’ platform.

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5. Space-tech startup GalaxEye has raised about ₹44 Cr as part of its ongoing Series A round with participation from investors including Speciale Invest, Rainmatter, and others. The startup is building what it claims will be the world’s first multi-sensor earth observation satellite.

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