India’s quick commerce landscape has hit a speed bump as Zepto Café, the ready-to-eat food arm of the popular Zepto app, has temporarily closed its doors in 44 dark stores across North India. The move comes amid a severe supply crunch and staff shortages, affecting major cities and industrial hubs.
Zepto Café’s Sudden Pause: What’s Behind the Shutdown?
Zepto Café, known for delivering hot snacks and beverages like tea, coffee, puffs, and pizzas within minutes, has been forced to halt its services in over seven North Indian cities. The disruption has hit key regions including Delhi NCR, Agra, Meerut, Haridwar, Gorakhpur, Mohali, Amritsar, and Ghaziabad.
According to company insiders, the pause is primarily due to two critical factors:
Supply Chain Disruptions: Shortage of essential ingredients and logistical hiccups have made it difficult to maintain the quality and consistency Zepto Café is known for.
Staffing Woes: Many kitchen staff were asked to relocate to other stores, but at least 15 employees chose to resign instead, further impacting operations.
Impact on Zepto’s Ambitious Growth Plans
The shutdown comes at a time when Zepto Café had just achieved a significant milestone—processing over 1 lakh daily orders and hitting a $100 million annualised GMV run-rate, with a healthy 50% gross margin. CEO Aadit Palicha had positioned Zepto Café as a formidable alternative to traditional food delivery giants like Zomato and Swiggy, especially in the highly competitive Delhi NCR market.
However, the temporary closure in North India gives rivals like Zomato and Blinkit an edge, particularly in regions where quick service and variety are key differentiators.
What Happens to Zepto Café Employees?
While most kitchen staff have been redeployed to other operational stores, the sudden relocation demand led to a handful of resignations. Zepto has assured that the pause is temporary and services are expected to resume by the July–September quarter (Q2 FY26), with efforts underway to stabilize supply chains and restaff affected stores.
Consumer Reactions and Market Implications
Regular customers in North India have expressed disappointment over the sudden unavailability of Zepto Café’s popular menu items. Many took to social media, sharing their hopes for a swift return of the service. Industry experts note that such operational hiccups are not uncommon in the fast-evolving quick commerce sector, where maintaining a seamless supply chain is a constant challenge.
Zepto Café’s Future: Ready for a Comeback?
Despite the setback, Zepto Café remains optimistic about bouncing back stronger. The company is working to streamline its procurement processes and reinforce its staffing to avoid similar disruptions in the future. With plans to resume operations in Q2, Zepto Café is determined to reclaim its position as a go-to brand for instant snacks and beverages.
Conclusion: A Temporary Pause in India’s Quick Commerce Race
Zepto Café’s temporary shutdown is a reminder of the operational complexities in India’s booming quick commerce industry. As the company gears up for a relaunch, consumers and competitors alike will be watching closely to see how Zepto navigates these challenges and reasserts its presence in North India’s vibrant food delivery market.