Before you apply: the checklist
- FSSAI registration or licence issued for the kitchen address (not your home address).
- PAN card of the proprietor, LLP or company.
- GST certificate — or a GST declaration if you are below the threshold.
- Cancelled cheque / bank passbook page in the business name for payouts.
- Menu with final prices, item descriptions and veg/non-veg tags.
- 10–15 well-lit food photos and a brand logo.
- A working mobile number and email for the owner account.
Step-by-step registration on Zomato
| Step | What you do | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Zomato's "Partner with us" / "Add restaurant" form and create the owner account | 10 min |
| 2 | Enter kitchen name, address, locality, cuisine and delivery timings | 15 min |
| 3 | Upload FSSAI, PAN, GST and bank documents | 20 min |
| 4 | Upload the menu (Excel or photos) and food images | 1 – 2 hours |
| 5 | Onboarding team verification call and address check | 3 – 7 days |
| 6 | Contract / commission agreement signed digitally | 1 – 2 days |
| 7 | Listing goes live; you get Zomato Partner app access | 1 – 3 days |
What Zomato charges
Expect a per-order commission in the 18–25% band, plus payment gateway fees and GST on the commission. A one-time onboarding fee applies in most cities. Ads (Zomato "Promo"/listing ads) and discount campaigns are optional and billed on top — do not switch them on in month one until your food cost and packaging cost are stable.
Work through the numbers first with our cloud kitchen cost breakdown and the unit-economics explainer.
Why cloud kitchen applications get rejected
- FSSAI address does not match the kitchen address on the form.
- FSSAI certificate expired or still under "application submitted" status.
- Bank account name different from the registered business name.
- Menu prices missing GST-inclusive pricing or duplicate items.
- Low-quality food photos — this is the single most common delay.
- Residential zoning where commercial food prep is not permitted.
After you go live: first 30 days
- Keep the kitchen "online" during peak hours (12–3 pm, 7–11 pm) — availability drives ranking.
- Keep food prep time under the promised window; late dispatch hurts visibility fast.
- Ask for ratings in the packaging insert; get past 20 reviews quickly.
- Run one hero dish rather than a 60-item menu.
- Add your Zomato link to your own listing so direct customers can order too.
Frequently asked questions
How do I register my cloud kitchen on Zomato?
Go to the Zomato partner onboarding page (zomato.com/partner_with_us), fill in the restaurant and owner details, upload your FSSAI licence, GST certificate, PAN, bank details and menu, then wait for the Zomato onboarding team to verify and activate the listing.
What documents are needed to list on Zomato?
FSSAI registration or licence, PAN card of the business or owner, GST certificate (or a GST declaration if unregistered), a cancelled cheque or bank passbook page for payouts, the kitchen address proof, the menu with prices and food photos.
How much commission does Zomato charge a cloud kitchen?
Zomato commission for delivery orders typically ranges from 18% to 25% of the order value plus payment gateway charges and GST. The exact rate depends on your city, cuisine and whether you opt into ads or discount programmes.
How long does Zomato onboarding take?
Once all documents are correct, listings usually go live in 7 to 15 working days. Missing FSSAI details, mismatched addresses or poor food photos are the most common reasons the timeline stretches to a month.
Can I list a cloud kitchen on Zomato without a shop?
Yes. Zomato onboards delivery-only kitchens. You need a valid commercial kitchen address with an FSSAI licence issued for that address — you do not need a dine-in seating area or a storefront.
Is there a registration fee for Zomato?
There is usually a one-time onboarding fee in most cities, and the rest of Zomato's revenue comes from per-order commission. Ads and promotional campaigns are billed separately and are optional.
Next steps
Don't rely on one aggregator. Read the Swiggy registration guide, compare both in Zomato vs Swiggy, get your licence sorted on the FSSAI application page, and add your kitchen to Cloud Kitchen Adda so customers searching your locality can order from you directly on WhatsApp — commission free.
Run a cloud kitchen? Get listed.
Add your FSSAI-verified cloud kitchen to Cloud Kitchen Adda and reach customers searching in your city.
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