Bengaluru Start-up Launches 10-Minute Food Delivery, Faces Criticism Over Labor Practices

Critics have raised questions about the practicality of a 10-minute food delivery service. Some internet users were sceptical about whether the food could remain fresh when prepared so swiftly

The idea of a rapid food delivery platform received a range of responses

Source : X

A Bengaluru-based start-up named Swish has ignited a debate on social media with its ambitious promise to deliver food within just 10 minutes. Currently serving the HSR Layout area, Swish is tackling Bengaluru's infamous traffic congestion to provide customers with fresh and hot meals at a lightening fast speed.

Ujjwal Sukheja, one of the co-founders of Swish, elaborated on the motivation behind this rapid delivery service. He pointed out that many young people are often subjected to long waiting times for food deliveries, even though local eateries are able to serve quickly. This gap between local service speed and delivery times inspired Swish to create a solution ensuring prompt and efficient food delivery to its customers.

“In HSR, you can get anything quickly—a dosa from a Darshini in minutes. But when it comes to online food delivery, the wait can be painfully long,” Sukheja wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) announcing Swish’s launch on August 4. “We realised that this problem is common to many young people like us. So, for them (and us), we are building Swish,” he added.

Much awaited life update 📢

After months of building in Stealth, Excited to announce that we are building Swish: 10-min food delivery app (@justswishin)

Many of you might be asking how did a bunch of crypto enthusiasts end up launching a food delivery app?

thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/iQhdT0pW2v

— Ujjwal Sukheja (@ujjwal_sukheja) August 4, 2024

The idea of a rapid food delivery platform received a range of responses. Although quick commerce platforms that deliver groceries and household essentials within 10 minutes have become popular, applying this model to food delivery has sparked some concerns.

Critics have raised questions about the necessity and practicality of a 10-minute food delivery service. Some internet users were sceptical about whether the food could remain fresh and high-quality when prepared so swiftly. Others are worried that the pressure to meet such tight deadlines might lead delivery drivers to engage in unsafe driving practices.

One user wrote, “Another added, “If you need food delivered in 10 minutes, just cook it yourself. This is literally just labour exploitation.”

“This is nothing the people have asked for and I would never order from such a facility knowing nothing healthy can be cooked in 2-3 minutes (considering the time to delivery from order is 10 minutes),” said a second user.

Another added user, “Well I know it's a repetitive question. But 10 min food delivery is only possible if food is already cooked. And do you really think Zomato and Swiggy can't do that. what's the mote here?”