The revolution of quick commerce in India has changed the pattern of consumer shopping of groceries and other necessities. Zepto, an aggregator utilising 10-minute delivery promises to redefine the grocery delivery process, leads this change. Zepto has already gained a massive market share and earned the status of a force in the competitive landscape of quick commerce since its launch in 2021.
Zepto is a fast-growing company that offers profitable franchise investments to entrepreneurs looking to jump into the lucrative market of instant delivery. As consumers grow increasingly sensitive to convenience and speed, a Zepto franchise cost is its entry point into the fastest-growing sector in India. By providing an opportunity to capitalize on core brand recognition and a proven system of operation along with a full-service support model, Zepto provides franchise owners the framework to establish their presence in the local market as a lucrative business.
What is Zepto?
Zepto is an instant delivery grocery store that claims to deliver everyday goods within 10 minutes after placing an order. The key idea of the company is its revolutionary thinking focusing on its network of strategically located dark stores, which in fact are micro-warehouses located in residential neighborhoods with the goal of delivering the goods within ultra-fast timescopes.
By contrast to traditional e-commerce possibilities, which are built around one big centralized warehouse, the concept of a dark store portrays Zepto where inventory is located closer to the customer, allowing the company to make good on the signature 10-minute delivery promise. It is the combination of this hyper-local strategy, advanced technology and streamlined logistics, that has enabled Zepto to become a leading player in the Indian quickcargo market with a market share of 29%.
The site provides a full selection of groceries, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, personal care products and home essentials. The convenient mobile application offers customers an easy shopping platform, order tracking in real time, and a variety of payment methods, which have made Zepto a good alternative to busy urban clients who are mindful of time.
Zepto Founder and Company Overview
Zepto was established in 2021 by two young co-founders, Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, who saw the potential yet unrealized in the Indian quick commerce market. The two founders were quite young, but they also had a lot of experience in fields of technology and business operations since, earlier, they worked on various successful projects.
It has enjoyed a spectacular history of growth over the course of its business, reaching a valuation of up to 5 billion dollars in May 2025. To date Zepto has been able to raise a total amount of about $1.95 billion, the most recent of which was a $100 million secondary round headed by Motilal Oswal. Its investments have become the driving force that has made the company grow in large cities in India swiftly.
Today, Zepto has more than 250 dark stores in 10 cities in India, such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata. In FY 2024, the company has posted revenue of 44,544 crores indicating good business fundamentals and acceptance in the market. Without any franchise opportunities, Zepto has demonstrated that their business model is viable and that 75% of their stores operate EBITDA-positively.
Why Invest in a Zepto Franchise?
Investing in a franchise Zepto business has many attractive benefits when considering this firm as a venture. The Zepto franchise opportunity presents an established business model in one of the most rapidly expanding industries in India, which is supported by market-based demand for speedy delivery of goods.
Growing Market Demand
The fast trade market is growing at a very fast rate due to shifting consumer behavior to fast and convenient products. Time-saving solutions are becoming more popular among urban consumers, generating long-term demand on Zeptos services. This increased market need provides stability to franchise partners in terms of revenue.
Brand Awareness and Gratitude.
Zepto has a great brand name and customer loyalty that gives franchisees a great competitive edge. The reputation the company has gained regarding its reliability and speed is also a selling point which prevents the individual franchise owners from having to market to the customers as much. In addition, Zepto fully supplies the system which consists of training platforms, business program support and guidance, further management etc.
Attractive financial returns
Another good reason to consider Zepto franchise is financial returns. The Zepto franchise cost is available at good profit potential with 30-120%, possible ROI in the first year, depending on the location and implementation. The majority of franchise locations break-even after 5-12 months, which is quite a rapid ROI.
Scalable Business Model
By making the business model scalable, the successful franchisees managed by Zepto will have the opportunity to grow their operations by launching new locations and generating new sources of revenue streams and long-term sources of wealth.
Zepto Franchise Types
1. Company-Owned & Franchise-Managed (COFM)
The COFM model is a less risky entry point to the Zepto franchise system, in which physical assets are owned by the company and daily business are run by the franchisee. The model enables an entrepreneur to concentrate on operational excellence without having to engage in heavy investment into infrastructure. Under this model, Zepto will offer the micro-warehouse facility, start-up inventory, and technology infrastructure. Staffing is done by franchisees, as well as day-to-day management of operations, including customer relations local to the location. This model limits the exposure to financial risk in an environment that offers real-world access to Zepto supply chain and systems.
- Requirements: 500-1,500 African St. areas, where level of accessibility and conformity to the surrounding are satisfactory.
- Investment Cost: ₹10-25 lakh to establish operations, staffing and management cost.
- Documents Required: GST, FSSAI license, shop establishment license and identity proofs.
2. Franchise-Owned & Franchise-Operated (FOFO)
Complete ownership and full operational control equates to power that enables franchisees to enjoy the maximum potential profit and business autonomy that franchisees can have with the FOFO model. In this setup, franchise owners invest in infrastructure, inventory, equipment and operations. The model is more expensive to start-up, but has superior long-term profitability and growth opportunities. The franchisees will have full control of the business, but they enjoy the brand, operational processes and marketing assistance of Zepto.
- Requirements: Full work of the business organization and development of the infrastructure and inventory control.
- Investment Cost: ₹25-50 lakh includes franchise fees, infrastructure, equipment and working capital.
- Documents Required: A full business registration, property ownership/lease registration, Financial letter, and regulation letters.
Zepto Franchise Cost and Profitability (Zepto Dark Store Franchise)
The franchise Zepto comes in various shapes and sizes depending on the franchise model, location, and scale of operation adopted. The amount of investment, as a rule, lies between 25 and 50 lakh of money, including all the necessary parts of a successful business start-up.
Startup costs involve a variety of critical areas such as franchise fees, infrastructure development costs, equipment purchases, starting inventory, and working capital requirements. The Zepto franchise costing approach provides sufficient funds to franchisees to enable them to establish and start businesses favorably.
Cost Breakdown Table
| Component | COFM Model | FOFO Model |
| Franchise Fee | ₹2-3 lakh | ₹2-5 lakh |
| Infrastructure Investment | Minimal (Company Owned) | ₹10-20 lakh |
| Equipment Costs | ₹3-5 lakh | ₹5-10 lakh |
| Initial Inventory | ₹5-10 lakh | ₹10-15 lakh |
| Working Capital | ₹5-7 lakh | ₹8-12 lakh |
| Total Investment | ₹15-25 lakh | ₹35-50 lakh |
The market will have location and time variation in its revenue potential. The metro areas usually have ₹3-6 lakh monthly revenue, and Tier-II cities have ₹ 3-5 lakh monthly. Profit margins are between 18-25 and gross margins are 30-50 in strong performing locations.
The timeline of investment Zepto franchise cost break-even depicts 5-7 months break even (metropolitan location) and 6-12 months break even (Tier-II cities location). Good operational implementation and local market knowledge has a significant influence on profitability.
Profitability and ROI Overview
The profitability of Zepto franchise mainly hinges on various operational and marketing variables with nearly all the successful locations returning impressive returns on investment. Depending on location performance and operation efficiency, the Zepto franchise fee usually returns a throughput of 30% to 120% within the first year.
With greater volume of orders and customer density, the Metropolitan franchise locations have shorter break-even with higher ROI potential. Tier-II city sites are still capable of creating consistent returns with higher payback but they can expand into a new market.
Factors Influencing ROI
Sales Volume Management: Growth in volume sales results directly in greater profit margins through operational leverage and absorption of fixed costs over over-size revenues.
- Optimization of operational efficiency: With efficient inventory, labor force, and use of technology, cost of operation is minimized to enhance quality of services and consumer satisfaction.
- Intelligent Choice of where to locate: The best places with a high level of customers and minimal competition offer the opportunity to increase revenue and dominate the market.
- Response to Market Competition: Competitive differentiation is sometimes a strategy to remain alive within a tough market environment, where you understand the competitive environment, and how you can do a better job of improving your products and prices.
- Customer Retention Focus: The retention of firm customer relationships through quality of service delivery and customer participation programs leads to repeat business revenue and business continuity.
How to Apply for a Zepto Franchise
Zepto franchise application process is a systematic process, which was developed to recruit qualified people and agree on a successful business relationship. The knowledge of Zepto franchise cost requirement and procedure allows a process that is easy to approve.
Step-by-Step Franchise Application Process
- Filling Application Form: complete business and financial information on the Application Form for the franchise on the Zepto official site.
Link: https://franchise.zepto.co.in/growth-partner - Application Review Process: The franchise team of Zepto considers the application as per its financial capability, business experience, and market suitability set of standards.
- Personal Interview Schedule: The shortlist is subjected to personal interview where qualification is studied, business propositions, knowledge of operations and level of devotion and dedication to the work process is evaluated.
- Site Evaluation Process: Zepto is undertaking a powerful location study in order to determine the way to place the business at an excellent place to easily get business operating or everyone able to reach the business.
- Final agreement signing: Selected candidates enter franchise contracts and make down payments to get the process going.
Important Documents Required
- Registration certificates of business and incorporation.
- Last three year income tax returns and financial statements.
- Bank accounts that indicate ability to pay and creditworthiness.
- Identity documents such as PAN card, Aadhaar card and passport benefits The institutions of the college system generally have not provided photograph benefits up to now.
- Docs on property ownership or lease agreements on proposed locations.
- Registration certificate of GST and Tax compliance certificate.
- FSSAI permit for food processing and storage.
- Establishment license and local authority rights to shop buildings.
Zepto Seller Registration
The seller registration program of Zepto allows local businesses and suppliers to access the platform and sell to customers in a quick commerce network. Zepto franchise considerations involve the realization of supplier partnership opportunities that potentially maximize inventory sourcing and cost management.
How Sellers Can Join Zepto
- Online Registration Portal: This option will lead you to the onboarding process of Zepto which allows filling viability details (business and product) during registration.
Link: https://brands.zepto.co.in/zepto - Selection of product categories: Select the right product categories based on the inventory needs as well as customer demand patterns as per the needs of Zepto.
- Certification System: Acquire the required certifications and ensure that the quality standards have been followed as per the food safety and product authenticity requirements.
- Pricing Strategy Formulation: Get competitive prices arrangement that fits into the model of quick commerce at Zepto and its esteemed clients.
- Skills training completion: Part in Relative Training to gain knowledge on processing orders, inventory services and communication devices.
Steps for Registration
- Business Documentation Preparation: Preparation of all business documentation like license, certifications, financial information to enable onboarding to a platform.
- Product Creation of Catalogs: This is the production of electronic product catalogs with pictures, text and cost of several sorts of products that are to be observed by the customers.
- Sample Submission Product: Submit product samples to check product content and to ensure that the quality of the product meets the standards of the platform.
- Technology System Integration; a total technical merging of inventory management and inventory operations at Zepto to have smooth operations.
- Go-Live Process Implementation: Initial seller account with initial inventory implementation, as well as initial customer order fulfillment capability.
Requirements and Guidelines
- Business licensing: All necessary legal services, GST, registration and regulatory claims are undertaken with real business licenses and taxes.
- Compliance to standards: Strict adherence to product storage, handling, and delivery standards to ensure that Zepto meets rigid, quality standards in delivering its services.
- Inventory Management Protocols: Introduce effective inventory management procedures so as to forestall stock outs and also correct Order fulfillment options.
- Customer Service Excellence: Be accessible and respond to customer needs and complaints in a manner that ensures the company is rated highly in terms of customer satisfaction and platform ranking.
- Performance Metric Success: Achieve delivery times, quality and customer satisfaction levels to maintain platform partners benefits.
Zepto Delivery Partner Program
Zepto delivery partner program is a chance for independent contractors to make money by providing customer deliveries within the 10-minute delivery promise. To navigate the Zepto franchise cost ecosystem, identifying delivery partnership opportunities is essential in aiding the business overall.
How Delivery Partners Can Join
- Download of Mobile Application: Right after pressing the button, the Mobile Application of Zepto delivery partner will be installed, and the initial registration will be carried out with personal and vehicle data.
Link: https://www.zeptonow.com/s/delivery-partners - Process Document Verification: Including background checking requires verification of various documents like identity papers, vehicle registration/ driving license etc.
- Development of training Programs: It also required the required training programmes to be implemented in their systems where they are provided with the required knowledge concerning the processes involved in service provision, service delivery to customers, and safety laws within the workplace.
- Vehicle Inspection Completion: effective vehicle safety checks, and full compliance with Zeptos equipment requirements on deliveries.
- Signing Performance Agreement: Signing of comprehensive delivery partner agreements, including compensation system, performance steps, and operating performance.
Zepto vs Blinkit
| Comparison Factor | Zepto | Blinkit |
| Delivery Speed | 10-minute guarantee | 10-minute promise |
| Market Share | 29% (2025) | 46% (2025) |
| Franchise Model | COFM & FOFO options | Limited franchise opportunities |
| App Features | User-friendly interface, real-time tracking | Comprehensive product range |
| Investment Cost | ₹15-50 lakh | ₹20-60 lakh |
| ROI Timeline | 5-12 months | 6-15 months |
| City Presence | 10+ major cities | 15+ cities |
| Growth Potential | High expansion plans | Established market leader |
Contact Details
| Contact Type | Information |
| Franchise Inquiry | info@zeptostorefranchise.com |
| Website | www.zepto.com |
| Regional Offices | Level 8, Signature TowerSouth City 1, Sector 30Gurugram, Haryana 122001 |
| Social Media | @zepto on major platforms |
Conclusion: Is it Profitable?
The Zepto franchise cost investment is an opportunity that is very appealing in the fast-growing quick commerce business of India. Zepto franchises have good potential earnings within strong brand identification, and well-established business models that would appeal to anyone with the necessary incentives to start an enterprise. Some of the strategies that have helped it succeed are: strategic choice of location, outstanding operations and understanding the local market forces. Metro properties are generally more aggressive in terms of returns and profitability, whereas Tier-II cities have a growth potential in new markets.
Zepto franchise is priced 15-50 lakh depending on the model selected and their ROI could be 30-120% in the first year itself. This investment is very attractive compared to a conventional retail franchise because the break-even is 5-12 months. Market trends support long-term profitability because the trend towards convenience and speed in how consumers make decisions will persist. Zepto has good financial clarity and expansion strategy that reflects its business continuity and franchising.
More Suggestions:- Blinkit Franchise Cost
FAQs
How many Zepto franchise units can start a low cost dark store?
The Zepto franchise fee varies between 15 lakh COFM model and 50 lakh FOFO model plus franchise fee, infrastructure, inventory and working capital requirement.
How long does the Zepto franchise cost investment pay back?
The vast majority of Zepto franchises break-even within 5-12 months and urban locations are able to pay off the Zepto franchise cost much sooner because of greater order volumes and customer congestion.
What recurrent charges follow the first Zepto franchise price?
Zepto does not include royalty fees which is why the Zepto franchise is priced higher than alternative franchise strategies which have monthly or annual royalty payments.
Will I be able to have more than one location once I have paid the original Zepto franchise fee?
Yes, it means that successful franchisees can scale operations by adding new locations, but further investment and approval of the new store will require its allocation of Zepto franchise costs.
Is there any supporting material to justify the cost of investment on Zepto franchising?
Zepto also offers intensive training, operational guidance, technology platform, marketing help and continuing business direction to assist franchisees maximize returns on Zepto franchise costs.
