In an impressive feat, Biryani has retained its spot as the undisputed king of the food kingdom in India, with a staggering 83 million orders placed in 2024 alone. This translates to an incredible 158 biryanis being ordered every minute, making it the most consumed dish on Swiggy this year. The rise of biryani’s dominance has been accompanied by a host of other food trends, including the meteoric rise of Dosa, which now stands at 23 million orders, surpassing its traditional status as just a breakfast item.
Swiggy’s report on 2024, “How India Swiggy’d,” reveals not only the food preferences but also the changing dynamics of consumer habits, particularly in the realm of quick commerce. The year saw extraordinary consumer spending, with one Bengaluru customer spending a record ₹49,900 on a pasta binge. Dinner, traditionally a quieter mealtime, now accounts for over 215 million orders, eclipsing lunch orders by 29%.
The year also marked innovations in food delivery, such as Swiggy’s Bolt service, which now delivers frozen treats in under 10 minutes. Delivery partners made remarkable achievements too, with a Mumbai-based partner delivering an incredible 10,703 orders in 2024. Additionally, regional food preferences took center stage, with Shillong’s love for noodles surpassing momos as the city’s most-ordered dish.
In this article, we dive into the key highlights from Swiggy’s 2024 report, shedding light on the impact of these food trends, the rise of biryani, and how Swiggy is changing the food delivery landscape in India.
1. Introduction: A Look Into Swiggy’s Massive Food Delivery Success in 2024
Swiggy, one of India’s largest food delivery platforms, has been revolutionizing the food industry with its exceptional growth and delivery capabilities. The company’s model revolves around providing fast, reliable delivery services for customers, offering everything from local eateries to global fast-food chains. It also serves diverse food categories, including Indian, continental, fast food, and desserts, positioning itself as a platform catering to every culinary craving.
Founded in 2014 by Sriharsha Majety, Nandan Reddy, and Rahul Jaimini, Swiggy has grown significantly in terms of revenue and market share. The platform boasts over 1.5 million restaurant partners and reaches millions of consumers across India. Swiggy’s rapid expansion into newer verticals like Swiggy Instamart, quick-commerce solutions, and Swiggy Dineout further diversify its service offerings.
Swiggy’s business model is based on the commission it takes from restaurants for each order placed through its platform. Additionally, it makes money from logistics, advertising, and subscription services like Swiggy One, which offers exclusive deals. The company’s ability to scale quickly in a competitive market has led to significant funding rounds, including investments from marquee investors like Tencent, Prosus Ventures, and Accel Partners.
2. Biryani Reigns Supreme in the Food Kingdom
2.1. Biryani’s Unstoppable Popularity in 2024
With 158 orders per minute, Swiggy’s data highlights that Biryani continues to reign supreme, solidifying its position as India’s favorite dish. For the 9th consecutive year, biryani leads with a staggering 83 million orders, making it a staple in every Indian household’s food choices.
The popularity of biryani can be attributed to its versatile nature, catering to various regional preferences such as Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, and Kolkata biryani, with each version carrying its unique flavors and ingredients. The growing number of biryani lovers across urban and rural India further fuels its dominance in Swiggy’s data.
2.2. How Swiggy Facilitates Biryani’s Popularity
Swiggy’s ability to ensure fast deliveries of biryani, often within 30 minutes, contributes to its sustained success. With a large number of restaurants offering biryani as their flagship dish, the platform becomes a go-to for those craving the flavorful dish at all hours of the day.
Additionally, the rise of quick commerce platforms like Swiggy Instamart, which allow users to order items like spices and rice directly, has contributed to the ease of cooking biryani at home, fueling the trend.
3. Dosa’s Surprise Success and Consumer Spending Trends
3.1. The Dosa Surge
While Biryani continues to lead, other Indian dishes are showing significant growth, with Dosa being a prime example. This once-breakfast-only dish now stands tall with 23 million orders in 2024. The dosa’s ability to transform from a simple meal to a beloved street food snack has contributed to its growing popularity, particularly in urban centers like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
3.2. Record-Breaking Consumer Spending
Another fascinating trend in Swiggy’s 2024 report is consumer spending behavior. A Bengaluru-based customer broke records by spending ₹49,900 on a pasta binge, ordering a massive quantity of Alfredo, Mac & Cheese, and Spaghetti. This showcases a shift towards more indulgent eating habits, particularly during special occasions or festive seasons.
4. Swiggy Bolt: Revolutionizing Quick Deliveries
Swiggy Bolt has been one of the standout services of 2024. Offering 10-minute delivery for desserts, such as NIC Ice Creams in Bikaner, Bolt has made food delivery even more convenient. This service allows consumers to receive frozen delights, including Chocochips, Strawberry, and Roasted Almond Ice Cream, in record time, making it a hit among dessert lovers.
Rasmalai and Sitaphal ice cream have also topped the Bolt delivery charts, satisfying consumers’ sweet tooth cravings in minutes.
5. Regional Food Preferences: A Glimpse into Local Food Trends
Swiggy’s regional food data reveals some intriguing insights into India’s culinary landscape. In Shillong, noodles have surpassed momos as the most-ordered dish, reflecting the city’s evolving food preferences. Meanwhile, in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, local favorites such as Chole, Aloo Parantha, and Kachoris continue to hold strong positions on the food delivery platform.
6. Swiggy’s Delivery Superheroes: Making Food Delivery a Seamless Experience
Swiggy’s delivery partners are often the unsung heroes behind its success. In 2024, delivery partners clocked an impressive 1.96 billion kilometers, equivalent to driving from Kashmir to Kanyakumari 533,000 times. Notable delivery superheroes include Kapil Kumar Pandey, who delivered 10,703 orders, and Kaleeswari M from Coimbatore, who led the female delivery partners with 6,658 orders.
These individuals, along with thousands of others, ensure that Swiggy’s promise of quick, reliable delivery is upheld, even during peak times.
7. Conclusion: The Undisputed King of Food Kingdom
With 158 orders per minute on Swiggy, this Indian dish has been crowned as the ‘undisputed king of food kingdom,’ and continues to hold its dominance in the ever-growing food delivery sector. Biryani’s consistent popularity, along with the rise of other food trends like Dosa and the innovation of quick delivery services like Swiggy Bolt, showcases the evolving landscape of the Indian food industry. As Swiggy continues to expand its services and refine its business model, it’s clear that food delivery will remain an integral part of India’s daily life for years to come.
Learning for Startups and Entrepreneurs
- Innovation is Key: As demonstrated by Swiggy’s quick commerce offerings like Swiggy Bolt, innovation is crucial to stay ahead in a competitive market. Whether it’s fast delivery or unique services, startups should focus on disrupting their industries with new ideas.
- Leveraging Consumer Data: By analyzing consumer trends and preferences, Swiggy has been able to predict and meet demand, as seen with the rise of Dosa and regional food preferences. Startups should focus on gathering data to make informed decisions.
- Scaling Efficiently: Swiggy’s growth is a result of its effective scaling model, which is both tech-driven and customer-centric. Startups should aim to build systems that allow them to scale their operations efficiently.
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