Uber Technology has announced that it will launch its on-demand food delivery app UberEATS in India.
According to sources the application will be first launched in metros and is in talks with local restaurants and delivery partners before taking the service live.
“I am incredibly excited about bringing UberEATS to India. This is a significant investment, it spans multiple cities and regions, and it has the potential to change the food industry - with the push of a button - in one of the most vibrant food cultures in the world," said Allen Penn, Asia Pacific’s head of UberEATS on a blogspot.
“This is a significant investment, it spans multiple cities and regions, and it has the potential to change the food industry – with the push of a button – in one of the most vibrant food cultures in the world.”
They are currently collecting feedback from customers and asking them to name their favourite restaurants.
UberEATS was launched as a delivery pilot in Los Angeles in 2014. Since then, it has expanded to 58 cities. the service also exists in Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Taipei.
Uber is currently looking to set up a network of restaurants, restaurant partners and delivery partners in India, before the service goes live.
“UberEATS is powered by the same technology that makes its transport mobile app efficient and cost-effective, getting great food delivered to you is now as easy as requesting a ride,” the blogpost noted.
The app is standalone and does not have to do with Uber's cab hailing service. In cities where it operates, UberEATS offers a few daily dishes that promise quick delivery in a given area.
“UberEATS will give consumers, restaurant partners, and delivery partners more options across India. Restaurants can tap into the Uber delivery network to expand their businesses and reach a new network of potential customers. And delivery partners now have access to even more flexible earning,” the blogspot said.
The company said, it is looking at the "perfect pairing of amazing restaurant partners, our technology, and the Uber delivery network" in India.
What is interesting that two years Uber's India rival Ola had started similar in-app food delivery service called Ola Café in April 2015, however it was a failed venture and the company had to shut it down because of tough competition from standalone food delivery apps like Swiggy and FoodPanda