10/07/2026
AI is beginning to change the economics of food delivery — and we are already seeing it firsthand at Mylapore and Idly Express.
The Verge spoke with me about our experience with Bites and the changing relationship between restaurants, delivery platforms, and customers.
For years, restaurants have accepted high commissions and limited access to their own customer relationships as the cost of participating in delivery platforms.
AI and agentic ordering could fundamentally change that model.
What has surprised me is how quickly the shift is happening in our own business. As I shared with The Verge, an estimated 65% of our delivery orders are now coming through Bites, compared with about 25% through DoorDash — and the economics are significantly better for us.
For restaurants, this isn’t just about technology.
It is about lower costs, better margins, a more direct relationship with our customers, and ultimately the ability to offer better value.
We are still in the very early stages of AI-driven food ordering, but I believe the way customers order food — and the role of traditional delivery apps — could look very different a few years from now.
Interesting times ahead for the restaurant industry.
Thank you to Mia Sato and The Verge for taking a deeper look at what is happening.
A startup offered delivery for dine-in prices plus a $1 fee. DoorDash noticed.