The Belagavi hospitality industry has thrown its weight behind the growing movement demanding fairer business practices from food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato. At a joint meeting held on July 30, the Belagavi Hotels Owners Association and the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) – North Karnataka Chapter unanimously resolved to support the efforts of state and national restaurant bodies seeking reforms in the food delivery ecosystem.
The meeting comes amid ongoing developments in Bengaluru, where several restaurant associations have raised concerns over high commission charges, deep discounting, unilateral commercial policies, and the long-term sustainability of restaurant businesses. Some Bengaluru restaurants have even indicated that they may suspend operations on food delivery platforms if meaningful reforms are not introduced.
Following detailed discussions, members of the Belagavi hospitality fraternity expressed solidarity with the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) and the Karnataka State Hotel Associations in their efforts to create a fair, transparent and sustainable business environment that benefits restaurants, delivery platforms and consumers alike.
Addressing the gathering, Akshay Kulkarni, Chapter Head of NRAI – North Karnataka, outlined the key challenges faced by restaurants across the country. He said the concerns extend beyond restaurant profitability and have a direct impact on consumers through pricing, choice, the survival of local businesses and healthy market competition.
He clarified that the restaurant industry is not opposed to technology or online food delivery services but is seeking balanced commercial practices that allow all stakeholders to grow together.
Speaking at the meeting, Ajay Pai, President of the Belagavi Hotels Owners Association, said restaurants, delivery aggregators and customers are all essential stakeholders in the food service ecosystem and each deserves a fair share of the value created.
He noted that one-sided commercial terms and monopolistic business practices are unsustainable in the long run and urged the Belagavi hospitality sector to formally support the reform initiatives being pursued by state and national industry bodies.
The joint forum reiterated that its objective is constructive dialogue rather than confrontation. Members emphasized the need for an ecosystem built on transparency, mutual respect, healthy competition and sustainable growth that benefits restaurants, delivery partners, aggregators and consumers alike.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution extending the Belagavi hospitality industry’s full support to the representations being made by the Karnataka State Hotel Associations and the NRAI for fair and equitable business practices in the food delivery sector.
Representatives Present
- Ajay Pai – President, Belagavi Hotels Owners Association
- Akshay Kulkarni – Chapter Head, NRAI North Karnataka
- Office bearers and Executive Committee members of the Belagavi Hotels Owners Association
- Members of the NRAI North Karnataka Chapter
- Leading hotel owners and restaurateurs from Belagavi