Consumers are tricking Zomato and Swiggy by placing small orders.

The food industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors, not just in physical retail but also online. Where a new trend is buzzing all around. Where people order food differently, place a small order, say one plate of rice or two chapattis and inform the restaurant to merge the order with a larger offline order.

But what’s the reason behind this way of ordering? It simply saves buyers’ money. Now people are levelling up the margin to save money. People can switch between Zomato and Swiggy to check where the same burger is low-priced. Then one can apply three coupon codes before settling on one, and if the customer suddenly remembers that one specific credit card gives 10% cashback on food delivery.

But the internet has now revealed another method, which many people have dramatically dubbed a “terrifying loophole” in food delivery apps.

It works with simple logic. Order one roti on any app, like Zomato or Swiggy, for Rs 40. Then call the restaurant straight. Order paneer butter masala, dal makhani, butter naan, biryani, gulab jamun, and a complete dinner for the family, and pay the restaurant separately through UPI. Then ask them to pack the whole lot together with that one tiny Zomato order. The rider comes to, picks up the parcel, and delivers the complete feast ordered. In the meantime, Zomato only earns a commission on that one small order of Rs 40 worth of roti.

Yes, it has mixed reviews from many people ordering online, with some calling it “immoral” and others calling it “genius”. But it’s an idea one must want to try to understand. A few restaurants, though, refuse to accept these orders.

And here’s the significant part that no one has revealed online: this trick does not work equally well everywhere. In fact, in many restaurants, it hardly makes sense.