Restaurant owners in Chattogram have threatened to halt accepting orders via foodpanda unless the delivery platform limits its total charges to 15% and expedites payments within seven days. The Chattogram Metropolitan unit of the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association outlined six key demands during a press conference on Saturday, claiming that foodpanda imposes excessive fees, lacks transparency in deductions, and delays payments.
According to the association’s general secretary, Manjurul Haque, restaurants bear numerous costs, including online payment fees, waiting charges, VAT on commissions, tablet fees, and internet expenses. These cumulative charges reportedly erode their earnings significantly. Owners also criticized the complexity of accounting statements, which they said obscure the breakdown of individual deductions. Further grievances include financial losses from order cancellations after food preparation and rider delays in collecting orders.
The association alleged that foodpanda deducts money based on unverified customer complaints without giving restaurants a chance to respond. They also asserted that payments from the platform often take 13 days or more to reach their accounts.
In contrast, foodpanda Bangladesh Limited accused certain restaurant partners of being coerced into joining the protest, deactivating their foodpanda accounts, and shifting to rival delivery services. The company described such actions as unlawful and detrimental to fair competition and business freedom, emphasizing that restaurant partners should be free to select their preferred delivery platforms without facing intimidation.
Foodpanda stated it maintains direct contractual relationships with its restaurant partners and is actively engaging with those in Chattogram to address their concerns. The company also cautioned that suspending services could negatively impact restaurant sales, rider incomes, and customer access.
The association’s six demands include setting a maximum total commission rate of 15%, issuing clear and transparent deduction statements, compensating restaurants for order cancellations beyond their control, eliminating penalties for rider-related delays, halting deductions tied to unverified complaints, and ensuring payments are settled within seven days. Additionally, the group urged regulatory bodies—including the Bangladesh Competition Commission, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, and the Ministry of Commerce—to enforce policies promoting transparency and fair competition in the online food delivery sector.
The restaurant owners warned that if their demands remain unmet, eateries citywide in Chattogram would collectively suspend or cease accepting foodpanda orders. Meanwhile, foodpanda reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing dialogue and working toward a solution that benefits all parties involved.