Zomato Launches AI-Powered Hotline for Delivery Partner Onboarding via WhatsApp, Says Process Takes Under 30 Minutes

Food delivery giant Zomato has introduced a new AI-powered onboarding hotline aimed at simplifying the process for new delivery partners. The company claims the new system enables onboarding through WhatsApp in under 30 minutes, reducing the traditional paperwork-heavy process.

The hotline, launched on Monday, is already seeing massive traction, with Zomato reporting over 40,000 calls every week.

Zomato Introduces AI Hotline to Speed Up Delivery Partner Onboarding

Zomato announced the launch of a dedicated hotline number 89200 89200, which uses AI automation to guide delivery partners through the onboarding process.

According to the company, the hotline triggers a WhatsApp-based onboarding journey that includes verification steps and background checks, helping potential delivery partners complete formalities quickly.

This initiative is part of Zomato’s broader effort to use AI tools in logistics and workforce management, particularly as gig work continues to expand rapidly in India.

WhatsApp-Based Process Replaces Traditional Multi-Step Onboarding

Onboarding Now Takes Less Than 30 Minutes

Zomato said the new system transforms what was previously a multi-step onboarding process into a single AI-driven WhatsApp flow.

Once a person calls the hotline, they are redirected into an AI-enabled WhatsApp journey, where onboarding and background verification are completed in minutes.

The company claims that the entire process can be completed in less than 30 minutes, making it easier for gig workers to join the platform quickly.

40,000 Calls Weekly Show High Interest

Zomato also revealed that since the hotline announcement, the company has been receiving more than 40,000 calls per week, showing strong demand for delivery partner opportunities.

This highlights the growing interest in gig economy jobs and the need for faster onboarding systems that reduce friction for workers.

Zomato Expands AI Use Across Both Customer and Delivery Operations

The AI onboarding hotline is not Zomato’s first move into automation and AI-based solutions.

Nugget: Zomato’s AI Tool for Customer Support

Last year, Zomato introduced Nugget, a no-code AI-powered customer support platform designed to help businesses automate customer service tasks.

The company said Nugget is capable of handling up to 80% of customer queries autonomously, helping businesses improve response speed without requiring technical teams.

This reflects Zomato’s increasing focus on using AI-driven customer support and operational efficiency tools.

Gig Workforce Challenges Remain: Fraud Terminations and High Attrition

Despite introducing faster onboarding systems, Zomato continues to face challenges common in gig work platforms, including fraud cases and high turnover.

Deepinder Goyal, founder of Eternal (Zomato’s parent company), recently stated that the company terminates nearly 5,000 gig workers every month due to fraud-related issues.

In addition, he noted that around 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh delivery partners leave the platform voluntarily every month.

These figures underline the scale at which Zomato operates and the complexity of managing one of India’s largest gig workforces.

Why This AI Hotline Matters for Zomato and India’s Gig Economy

The launch of the AI-powered hotline could be a strategic step for Zomato in multiple ways:

• Faster onboarding could help fill delivery partner demand during peak periods

• Automation reduces human support costs for onboarding teams

• WhatsApp-based workflows make the process more accessible for users across India

• It strengthens Zomato’s positioning as an AI-first delivery platform

With competition in the food delivery and quick commerce segment rising, smoother delivery partner onboarding could directly impact service quality and delivery speed.

AI May Become the New Standard for Gig Worker Onboarding

Zomato’s AI-powered onboarding hotline signals a major shift in how gig workers may be recruited and verified in the future. By turning onboarding into a WhatsApp-based journey, the company is reducing barriers for new delivery partners while also scaling operations more efficiently.

As Zomato continues expanding its workforce and automation tools, similar AI-driven onboarding systems may soon become standard across India’s gig economy platforms.