Swiggy expands rapid delivery service to 400 cities

INDIA – Food delivery giant Swiggy has expanded its rapid delivery service, Bolt to more than 400 cities across India.

Swiggy’s Bolt service now delivers orders from 40,000 restaurants within an impressive 10 minutes, catering to the growing demand for quick meals.

Bolt focuses on items that require minimal or no preparation time, ensuring convenience for time-sensitive customers. 

Launched on October 4, Bolt initially operated in major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and New Delhi.

Its reach has since expanded to emerging urban centres such as Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Indore, along with numerous Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have recorded the highest adoption rates for the service. 

To ensure delivery speed without compromising safety, Swiggy treats Bolt orders the same as regular ones for its delivery executives and avoids offering incentives for faster deliveries.

Instead, the platform optimises service by assigning the nearest available delivery partner to each Bolt order. Swiggy is also working with restaurants to prioritise Bolt orders, enabling faster preparation and delivery. 

Collaborations include international chains such as KFC and McDonald’s, as well as local favourites like Gwalia Sweets in Ahmedabad and Shiraz in Kolkata. In smaller cities, eateries such as Varalakshmi Tiffins and Akhshay Tiffins have seen 10% of their orders fulfilled through Bolt. 

Commenting on the service’s growth, Swiggy CEO Rohit Kapoor stated, “Bolt is changing the way customers are experiencing food. With all the customer love we’ve received so far, along with the enthusiasm from national and local restaurants, expanding Bolt was an easy decision. We’re thrilled to bring this experience to even more cities and homes.” 

Swiggy’s decision to scale Bolt aligns with increasing consumer expectations for instant gratification, a trend amplified by the rise of quick commerce. 

In November 2024, the platform introduced three new initiatives to support restaurant partners: kitchen equipment procurement assistance, hygiene audits, and professional photoshoot services.

These programmes aim to enhance operational efficiency, maintain hygiene standards, and improve customer engagement. 

The kitchen equipment initiative allows small and mid-sized restaurants to access essential tools at competitive prices, connecting them with trusted suppliers through the Swiggy Owner app.

Additionally, the hygiene audits, part of the Swiggy Seal programme, focus on maintaining high standards, while the photoshoot service enhances the visual appeal of restaurant menus. 

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