Restaurant owners discuss possible Foodpanda boycott

Following a move by restaurant owners in Chattogram to end their business ties with Foodpanda, discussions are reportedly under way among restaurant businesses in Dhaka about taking similar action.

Discontent over commissions, various charges and business terms has reportedly prompted Dhaka-based restaurant owners to discuss a possible boycott of the food delivery platform. However, no formal collective decision has yet been reported.

A large section of restaurant owners in Chattogram have decided to sever their business ties with Foodpanda. The decision followed lengthy discussions with the company over various demands and problems, which the owners said failed to produce satisfactory solutions.

Showing solidarity with the Chattogram restaurant owners, Dhaka-based restaurant brand Roadside Kitchen has also suspended its operations on Foodpanda in Chattogram.

Restaurant owners have long expressed dissatisfaction with the delivery platform's commissions, various charges and business conditions. They said discussions with Foodpanda had taken place through different channels over nearly a month, but failed to deliver the expected results on issues concerning their business interests.

Against this backdrop, restaurant owners in Chattogram have taken a collective initiative to permanently discontinue their operations on the platform.

Manjurul Haque, proprietor of Barcode, said many restaurant owners in Dhaka were reluctant to make even small sacrifices for their business interests, while their counterparts in Chattogram had put aside calculations of profit and loss to unite in defence of their rights and dignity.

He said the decision was not merely a move to boycott a delivery platform, but also a demonstration of collective strength and a commitment to protecting the rights of restaurant owners.

He further said no delivery platform could strengthen its business operations without the participation of restaurant owners. The restaurant industry, he added, was not dependent on any single platform, and business owners could protect their interests and rights if they remained united.

Meanwhile, an important organisational meeting of the Chattogram Restaurant Owners Association was held at the Family Dining Hall of Chattogram Club.

The meeting discussed in detail the ongoing business situation with Foodpanda, various demands and concerns of restaurant owners, commissions and other charges imposed by delivery platforms, and the overall situation of the restaurant industry.

Participants also exchanged views on the association's organisational activities, future plans and measures to protect the rights and interests of restaurant businesses. They expressed their commitment to building a united and effective organisational position based on the opinions of all members.

In solidarity with the Chattogram restaurant owners, Dhaka-based brand Roadside Kitchen has also suspended its Foodpanda operations in the port city.

Describing the move as commendable, local business owners have called on other Dhaka-based restaurants operating in Chattogram to stand alongside them. They said that although brands and businesses might operate from different locations, their legitimate rights and business interests were shared.

Meanwhile, restaurant owners said they were working collectively to ensure easier, more affordable and better food delivery services for customers as an alternative to Foodpanda.

They also said they planned to introduce new initiatives and attractive offers for customers soon.

The collective position taken by restaurant owners in Chattogram has opened up fresh discussions about business relations between the country's restaurant industry and delivery platforms, particularly over commission structures and other terms.

It remains to be seen whether the initiative in Chattogram will prompt a similar collective response among restaurant owners in Dhaka.

sks