BREAKING BARRIERS ONDC SET TO R E V O L U T I O N I Z E F O O D INDUSTRY, EMPOWER RESTAURANTS

Amidst mounting concerns over the dominance of food aggregator apps and their stranglehold on the restaurant sector, a game-changing solution has emerged on the horizon The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is poised to redefine the food industry, offering newfound liberation to restaurants. Prahlad Sukhtankar, the dynamic leader of the Goa Chapter of the National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI), sheds light on the impending transformation.

Gathering momentum, the Goa Chapter of NRAI orchestrated a compelling symposium in Panaji, unraveling the potential ramifications of ONDC's entry into the scene A distinguished representative from ONDC elaborated on its distinct attributes, spotlighting its role as a centralized government initiative designed to seamlessly integrate a myriad of digital services –encompassing online ordering, delivery logistics, and secure payment solutions –into an interconnected ecosystem. Sukhtankar, with fervor, articulates how ONDC, currently navigating its beta phase across the nation, could act as a catalyst to unshackle restaurant owners from the grip of app-driven monopolies that dictate the terms of food delivery. "The prevailing landscape," he asserts, "is under the sway of a select few food aggregators who control both delivery logistics and brand visibility. ONDC is primed to reshape this landscape, enabling businesses to cherry-pick specific network components or adopt a comprehensive approach. This flexibility inherently leads to diverse pricing o p t i o n s , t h e r e b y e m p o w e r i n g consumers to engage with preferred partners."

However, the ONDC effect isn't limited to price equilibrium. Sukhtankar enthusiastically notes, "ONDC's impact transcends mere pricing dynamics. It promises to instigate a paradigm shift in retail interactions – an evolution that extends beyond food to encompass clothing, groceries, and beyond."

ONDC's allure rests in its ability to directly connect restaurants with patrons, circumventing intermediaries. The network's potential to democratize this interactive rapport is underscored by Marichi Mathur, a distinguished figure in the Food and Beverage domain at ONDC. Mathur underscores ONDC's role as an avant-garde conduit, poised to revolutionize how restaurants cultivate relationships, conduct transactions, and c u r a t e m e m o r a b l e c u s t o m e r experiences.

"ONDC's emergence heralds a transformative era for the restaurant landscape. It's a conduit for optimizing operations, enhancing efficiency, and elevating customer satisfaction," Mathur elucidates.

Drawing from real-world experiences, Murali Krishnan, the enterprising CEO & CMO of Wow! Momo, a trailblazing panIndia restaurant chain, expounds on O N D C ' s p o t e n t i a l t o r e s h a p e profitability for restaurateurs, shifting the needle away from dependence on food aggregators. Krishnan predicts, "ONDC is the key to unlocking consumer o w n e r s h i p , f a c i l i t a t i n g h y p e rpersonalized customer experiences Diverging from the constraints imposed by traditional aggregators, ONDC provides a treasure trove of valuable insights – from detailed order histories to identifying loyal patrons. The network's promise lies not only in heightened visibility and profitability but also in potentially slashing commissions from the prevailing 25 percent to an enticing range of five to eight percent."

The stage is set for ONDC to emerge as a liberating force, breaking the chains of monopolistic influence and ushering in an era of autonomy, customization, and fiscal growth within the dynamic food industry landscape.