Restaurant Losses

Aggressive promotions in the food delivery market benefit consumers but harm restaurants. Despite increased order volumes, restaurants report decreased profits and losses due to platform fees and subsidies. CCTV highlighted examples where restaurants barely break even or lose money on takeout orders. Many feel compelled to participate to stay competitive, even at a loss. Experts warn this “burn-to-acquire” strategy is unsustainable and risks compromising service quality. The practice offloads costs onto merchants and drivers, intensifying competition.