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Foodpanda in turmoil over low pay, high charges and service failures

Published : Wednesday, 21 October, 2026 at 1:22 PM

Observer Online Report

Foodpanda is facing mounting criticism over low rider earnings, high restaurant commissions, punitive measures and poor customer service, while court cases alleging the misappropriation of around Tk 3.8 crore have added to the pressure on the food delivery platform.

Delivery riders allege that their earnings remain low after deducting fuel, mobile data and vehicle maintenance costs. They also complain of penalties and account suspensions without proper investigations, alongside a lack of accident insurance, medical assistance and income protection when injuries prevent them from working.

Restaurant owners have also raised concerns over high commissions, advertising fees, promotional expenses and unclear payment calculations, saying the charges are squeezing their profit margins. On October 6, the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association’s metropolitan unit in Chattogram launched a service suspension programme, urging restaurants to stop accepting Foodpanda orders in protest against the charges.

Customers, meanwhile, have reported late deliveries, incorrect or incomplete orders, sudden cancellations and delayed refunds. Complaints over customer support and refund processing have further fuelled dissatisfaction with the platform.

The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection held a meeting with Foodpanda in February over complaints concerning service delivery and refunds.

Separately, a Dhaka court on September 23 issued arrest warrants against Foodpanda Bangladesh Managing Director Syeda Ambarin Reza and four other officials in two cases alleging the misappropriation of around Tk 3.8 crore in transactions involving supplier Protein and Perishable.

The cases reportedly involve allegations of irregular payments, fabricated invoices for returned goods and deductions under various categories. Foodpanda’s parent company, Delivery Hero Stores Bangladesh, rejected allegations of criminal wrongdoing, describing the dispute as a business transaction matter. The company said the five officials had obtained anticipatory bail from the High Court.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Attempts to obtain comment from Reza went unanswered.

-AH

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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