Online food delivery platform Zomato has officially relaunched its highly popular ‘Intercity Legends’ service, now with a minimum order value of Rs 5,000. The revamped service, now branded as “Legends,” has been reintroduced with a fresh, updated look within the app, aiming to recreate the success it found in its previous iteration before it was paused in April this year.
Zomato’s Legends service allows users to indulge in gastronomic delights from renowned restaurants in different cities. Customers can now customize their orders, combining dishes from multiple restaurants across different cities within the same transaction. This unique feature makes it possible for users to enjoy a culinary tour from the comfort of their homes, without being limited to the local offerings.
All orders placed through the Legends service before 7 p.m. will be delivered the next day, ensuring that food enthusiasts get their favorite dishes as promptly as possible. This next-day delivery model marks a significant shift from the previous iteration. Previously, Zomato delivered certain orders on the same day, indicating that the company had kept stocks of popular dishes from specific restaurants to meet same-day delivery commitments. With the relaunch, Zomato has moved away from this practice. Instead of keeping inventory, all dishes are now delivered chilled, strictly based on incoming orders. This change aims to ensure the freshness and quality of each dish.
Prior to its temporary closure in April, users who navigated to the Intercity Legends tab in the Zomato app were greeted with a note stating, “Closed Now. Be back soon.” For months, food lovers eagerly awaited the return of the service that had allowed them to savor dishes from legendary eateries in other cities without having to travel.
The reintroduction comes at a time when Zomato is focusing on diversifying and enhancing its offerings.
. Alongside the relaunch of Legends, Zomato has also announced significant developments on the corporate front. The company has received approval from its shareholders to establish a new employee stock option pool (ESOP) of 18.2 crore shares. This move has been met with hefty investor support, with 75 percent backing the proposal and 25 percent opposing it, as per the company’s latest filing with the stock exchange.
At the current market price of approximately Rs 208 per share, the ESOP pool of 18.26 crore shares translates to a staggering valuation of around Rs 3,800 crore. This initiative underscores Zomato’s commitment to attracting and retaining talent by offering lucrative incentives tied to the company’s long-term growth and performance.
The strategic moves by Zomato reflect the dynamic nature of the foodtech industry, where companies are continually innovating to stay ahead in the market. Relaunching a beloved service like Legends, with enhancements based on past user feedback, highlights Zomato’s customer-centric approach. The minimum order value of Rs 5,000 is notable as it suggests the company is targeting a more premium segment of users who are willing to spend more for exclusive culinary experiences.
The Legends service also taps into the growing trend of consumers seeking quality over quantity, aiming to provide gourmet food options that are meticulously prepared and delivered with care. As more people embrace the convenience of online food delivery, services like Legends offer them the added benefit of variety and exclusivity. Users can now celebrate special occasions or simply treat themselves to a fine dining experience at home, making the service appealing to a broad audience.
Zomato’s relaunch of Legends, combined with its corporate strategy to reward its employees through the ESOP pool, points to a well-rounded approach to growth. By catering to the discerning tastes of its user base and maintaining a motivated workforce, the company positions itself to continue thriving in a competitive market.
Overall, the relaunch of the Legends service is expected to generate significant interest and engagement from Zomato’s user base, as they once again gain access to ordering their favorite dishes from across the country. The next few months will be crucial in determining how effectively Zomato can leverage this service to capture and sustain market interest, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in the online food delivery industry.
