Zomato to Roll Out 'Mehmaan Mode' to Hide Food Prices
Zomato is set to launch a feature enabling users to conceal food prices when ordering meals for their guests. Named Mehmaan Mode, the function stems from a proposal by marketing expert Ayushmaan Agarwalla on LinkedIn, which garnered a public reply from Zomato's founder and CEO Deepinder Goyal.
The suggested feature is intended for scenarios where hosts allow friends or family to use their phones to choose dishes. By concealing prices during the selection process, guests were able to select their meals without being aware of the cost of each item. The host would take back control of the phone after the choices and finalize the payment.
Also Read: HDFC Securities Names Abhishek Mehrotra as CDO
Agarwalla suggested the feature in a LinkedIn post directed to Goyal, underscoring a social discomfort that can occur when one individual covers the cost of a group meal. He noticed that hosts are more frequently giving their phones to guests to gather everyone's food choices, yet displayed prices can affect what individuals decide to order.
His recommendation was to implement a feature that hides prices from the menu as patrons explore and select items for their order. This would enable the host to maintain accountability for the payment while providing guests with more flexibility in their choices.
Agarwalla also emphasized the feature's potential benefits during the holiday season, a time when individuals often come together with friends and relatives. He expressed the concept using the phrase, “No cost, no shame, and no doubt.”
Also Read: HUL’s Minimalist Gains Momentum Expanding Offline Presence
Goyal replied directly to the LinkedIn post, stating that Zomato planned to follow the recommendation. "Appreciate the recommendation." Sending it out this week. “Wishing you the most joyful holiday season,” he wrote.
The discussion sparked additional conversations among users, with some embracing the concept as a convenient method to enhance group food ordering.
Additional users proposed potential enhancements, such as a different name for the feature and the ability to specify a maximum budget along with the number of individuals ordering, enabling AI to recommend appropriate dishes.
Last year, Uber and Zomato collaborated with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan, a national road safety initiative that encourages individuals to avoid haste and reach safely. With countless trips and deliveries occurring each day, we are utilizing our scale to foster a culture of road safety throughout India.
The campaign was unveiled in New Delhi with Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways; Shri Prasoon Joshi, renowned writer, poet, and campaign conceptualizer; Aditya Mangla, CEO of Zomato; and Sooraj Nair, Head of Safety Operations at Uber India & South Asia in attendance.
Uber is launching a new Road Safety Pledge for drivers and increasing investment in driver training. We are enhancing rider awareness with innovative safety features such as Speeding Alerts, RideCheck, reminders for rear seatbelts, helmet verification for Moto, and round-the-clock access to a Safety Line and SOS button connected to police control rooms. Insurance covers drivers in various vehicle types, and riders can choose to get inexpensive accident protection.
Also Read: Banas Dairy to Expand French Fries Capacity to Five Tonnes
On Zomato, security is emphasized prior, throughout, and following each journey. Delivery partners participate in essential briefings and commit to a daily safety pledge, receive immediate weather notifications and safety reminders, and can access round-the-clock SOS assistance with ambulance dispatch. Thorough insurance offers extra coverage, while those who maintain road discipline or serve as first responders are acknowledged and honored.