The inception of Bakingo is a tale of foresight and ambition shared by three engineering friends—Shrey Sehgal, Himanshu Chawla, and Suman Patra. As passionate foodies, they felt that their sweet cravings were never fully satisfied.



In many cities, only two or three prominent bakery brands thrived. What stood out, however, was the absence of a unified, national bakery brand — a gap that seemed impossible to ignore. This realization led Shrey, Himanshu, and Suman onto an exciting new venture!


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="441" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?resize=640%2C441&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14148" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?resize=1024%2C705&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?resize=300%2C207&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?resize=768%2C529&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?resize=1536%2C1057&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?resize=1200%2C826&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?resize=1568%2C1079&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image2.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Founders of Bakingo: (From Left) Suman Patra, Himanshu Chawla, Shrey Sehgal</figcaption></figure></div>


From simple concepts to sweet creations



The roots of Bakingo trace back to the trio’s experience in running another venture, FlowerAura, a bootstrapped gifting business which they launched in 2011. What began in a modest basement steadily grew into a flourishing company. The valuable insights into logistics and operations that they got from those days, would later become pivotal to the creation and growth of Bakingo.



As first-generation entrepreneurs, the founders understood the significant risk they were taking by starting their own business. Suman says, &#8220;We met in college, stayed connected, and eventually decided to take a leap of faith and launch our first venture together.&#8221;



In 2014-15, while running FlowerAura, the founders noticed that ordering a cake was inconvenient—customers relied on local bakeries due to the absence of online delivery options. Moreover, the taste and quality of cakes varied widely from city to city, making it difficult for customers to find consistent, high-quality cakes across different parts of the country.



This is how they came up with the idea of launching Bakingo in 2016. The vision was simple, yet ambitious – deliver freshly baked, high-quality cakes and desserts right to customers’ doorsteps.



Since they had previously relied on vendors who were primarily spread across different states, they wished to monitor operations more closely when they established Bakingo. Recognizing the value of quality control, they set up dark stores which were entirely run by the brand.



Suman says “Our learnings from running FlowerAura helped us leverage our technological acumen to streamline operations, minimize wastage, and ensure customer-centric values were at the forefront of our business model”.



By actively seeking and valuing customer feedback, Bakingo continually refines its products and services. This ensures that each interaction with the brand is memorable and delightful.



The brand also focuses on creating customized cakes for specific themes and occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and festivals, ensuring that customers can find the perfect cake for every celebration.



Bakingo sets itself apart by using technology extensively to ensure that every process, from baking to delivery, is meticulously monitored and optimized. This results in minimal wastage and maximized freshness, guaranteeing that customers receive the best products possible.



A dessert for every palate


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14154" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3.png?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3.png?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3.png?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image3.png?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hazelnut Cake Collection at Bakingo</figcaption></figure></div>


When Bakingo began, it wasn&#8217;t just about making cakes—it was about creating moments of joy for all. With over 200 unique cake designs and a tempting variety of desserts, Bakingo has grown into a brand that balances indulgence with affordability. But what truly sets it apart is the commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their dietary preferences, can enjoy a slice of happiness. This includes a delicious assortment of eggless options for those with specific dietary preferences.



Drawing inspiration from flavors around the world, they weave  global influences into the fabric of Indian tastes. Whether it’s the luxurious, eggless Tiramisu or the light, creamy Tres Leches, each creation is thoughtfully crafted to delight the diverse palates of their customers.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1.png?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14155" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1.png?resize=300%2C225&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1.png?resize=768%2C576&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1.png?resize=800%2C600&amp;ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1.png?resize=600%2C450&amp;ssl=1 600w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1.png?resize=400%2C300&amp;ssl=1 400w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image1.png?resize=200%2C150&amp;ssl=1 200w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Mango Cake Collection at Bakingo</figcaption></figure></div>


The founders have also gone a step further by launching various initiatives to cater to the diverse needs of their customers. One such innovation was changing the shape of their pastries to a square and placing them in a cup. This simple adjustment in dimensions helped prevent the cakes from toppling during transit, ensuring they arrived in perfect condition, just as they were intended.



Suman says, “When Bakingo started, the vision wasn’t limited to just the metropolitan areas. We wanted to create a national bakery brand that was accessible to people in tier 2 and tier 3 cities as well.”



Improving reach through external collaborations



Bakingo&#8217;s association with Zomato has been instrumental in making its delicious desserts accessible to a larger audience. By leveraging Zomato’s network, Bakingo boosts its distribution capabilities and customer satisfaction, ensuring that the products are handled and delivered with the same care and attention as they would in a physical bakery.



In the words of Suman, “The association with Zomato has enabled us to continuously innovate and adapt to market trends. The platform acted as a catalyst for our success – our order volume has grown 24 times over the past 6 years.” Suman added that this growth allowed them to expand their delivery network across multiple cities in India.



&#8220;We take a proactive approach on Zomato,&#8221; Suman shared. &#8220;For the Mother&#8217;s Day Photo Cake campaign, we were the first brand to pilot the initiative. We invested in the machinery and equipment needed to print photos on cakes and successfully activated it across over 90 Bakingo outlets in India.&#8221; Suman also highlighted how vital it is to stay attuned to the constantly evolving trends and innovations in the food industry, ensuring that Bakingo consistently delights customers throughout the country.



Future plans and expansion



With a vision to spread joy through high-quality cakes and desserts, Bakingo has made significant strides since its inception. What began as a single outlet in one city has expanded to serve over 30 cities, with plans for further growth. With each expansion and every new customer, Bakingo’s story continues to unfold.



In addition to its online food delivery business, Bakingo plans to launch retail stores in the Delhi NCR region. These outlets will allow customers to browse and select their favorite delicacies in person, adding a new dimension to the experience offered by the brand.



Bakingo’s journey demonstrates how a simple idea, when nurtured with creativity, intellect, and perseverance, can evolve into something truly extraordinary.

The Big Brand Theory | Freshness, Flavour and Innovation. That’s Bakingo!

For first-time and seasoned food entrepreneurs, the first few days of starting a restaurant holds special importance. A quick ramp up in business helps get many things in order and gives a sense of comfort that every entrepreneur needs.



Approximately 13,000-15,000 new restaurant partners list on Zomato every month, and we frequently hear questions such as:



“How can I quickly hit 50 or 100 online orders?”



“What should I focus on first— fixing the menu, getting more views, or customer promotions?”



“What’s the best way to make a great first impression and build customer trust?”



To address these concerns, we are excited to introduce a New Restaurant Success module that enables restaurants to grow their business on Zomato, faster. The module is designed as an easy to follow, step-by-step guide. Key features include:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Step-by-step guidance: Simple actions across three levels that have worked for most new restaurants to achieve their first 50 orders and beyond</li>



<li>Milestone rewards: Rewards such as discounts on Zomato Ads, or Free delivery for customers on finishing each level</li>
</ul>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="499" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?resize=640%2C499&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14110" style="width:707px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?resize=1024%2C798&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?resize=300%2C234&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?resize=768%2C599&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?resize=1536%2C1198&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?resize=1200%2C936&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?resize=1568%2C1223&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?w=1770&amp;ssl=1 1770w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image5-1.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div>


<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Video testimonial for each action: Insights from other restaurant partners via testimonials on how they have been successful</li>
</ul>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="499" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?resize=640%2C499&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14111" style="width:687px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?resize=1024%2C798&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?resize=300%2C234&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?resize=768%2C599&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?resize=1536%2C1198&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?resize=1200%2C936&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?resize=1568%2C1223&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?w=1770&amp;ssl=1 1770w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image3-1.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div>


We have also revamped our restaurant partner listing process, making it simpler and more intuitive for new restaurant partners. Key changes are:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Mobile-friendly UX: Complete onboarding on-the-go, in just 10-15 minutes</li>



<li>Efficient tracking : Seamless tracking of the progress of your application</li>



<li>Simplified forms: Say goodbye to unnecessary paperwork</li>



<li>Restaurant Helpline support: Zomato support team available to assist with any questions or issues; hotline number is 9738383838.</li>
</ul>



These features are available on the latest version of the Zomato Restaurant Partner App across Android and iOS.



Hear it directly from our restaurant partners, who have been using the New Restaurant Success module:


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<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="204" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?resize=640%2C204&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14114" style="width:733px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?resize=1024%2C327&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?resize=300%2C96&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?resize=768%2C245&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?resize=1536%2C490&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?resize=1200%2C383&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?resize=1568%2C500&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?w=1999&amp;ssl=1 1999w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image6-1.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div>

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="226" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?resize=640%2C226&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14115" style="width:744px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?resize=1024%2C362&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?resize=300%2C106&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?resize=768%2C271&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?resize=1536%2C542&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?resize=1200%2C424&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?resize=1568%2C554&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?w=1999&amp;ssl=1 1999w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image4-1.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div>

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="640" height="215" src="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?resize=640%2C215&#038;ssl=1" alt="" class="wp-image-14116" style="width:755px;height:auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?resize=1024%2C344&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?resize=300%2C101&amp;ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?resize=768%2C258&amp;ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?resize=1536%2C516&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?resize=1200%2C403&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?resize=1568%2C527&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?w=1999&amp;ssl=1 1999w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https://i0.wp.com/zomatoblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/image1-2.png?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></figure></div>


To our restaurant partners: your feedback is crucial to us. Let us know if there’s anything more we can do to help. You can reach out to your Zomato growth manager or write to us at restaurant.partnerapp@zomato.com



A big shout out to our business, product and tech teams that made this possible: Karishma Chopra, Vaibhav Kumar, Sumit Taneja, Rishabh Srivastava, Faraz Mazhar, Archit, Ritesh, Sunny, Rana, Sanjay, Samarth, Shubham A, Amber Sharma, Naman Jain, Laveena L, Faraz S, Divyanshu Mahajan, Rajat Bector, Anay Aggarwal, Suraj, Maneshwar Mehra, Bineeta Rath, and Oshin Sharma.

Setting Up New Restaurants on Zomato is Simpler and Faster Now!

She walked into our office, not knowing who she would meet, what she would do, or where the journey would lead. What began as a spontaneous afternoon in 2011, soon became one of the most pivotal moments at Zomato—the day I met Akriti Chopra.



What followed was over a decade of unforgettable memories and countless milestones.



In hindsight Tuki, as we affectionately call her, has been the most crucial piece of this big, audacious Zomato puzzle—a piece that seemed to fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged.



Akriti has always had the knack for turning chaos into order and has always made the impossible seem effortless. She’s been so much more than a leader or a colleague—she has been the glue holding us all together. Or the countless moments when she provided the much needed “adult supervision” through some of our most complex financial transitions, with so much poise and patience.



Through all the various roles she’s done at Zomato – being our Chief Financial Officer, or Chief People Officer, and of-course the catch-all role as our co-founder—she has maintained that signature ‘Tuki Charm’—a perfect balance of fierce determination, utmost humility, and a love for Zomato that’s <s>almost</s> impossible to replicate.



Zomato wouldn’t be what it is today without her wisdom, her unyielding optimism, and her belief in all of us, and in me—even when we had no idea what we were doing.



With time, Zomato evolved, and we did too. A few months ago, Akriti shared with me that she wanted to hang her boots at Eternal (our internal name for Zomato + Blinkit + District + Hyperpure), to focus on long-deferred personal aspirations and pursuits. This includes her health, her relationships, and the life experiences she’s had on her bucket list since she was five years old—things that the demands of startup life don’t always leave room for.



Of course, she assured me that she will be here for as long as needed, helping the team to stand on their own without needing her day to day support. I am proud to say that over the last few months, we have achieved the exit goal that we set out for her, with her.



Tuki, as you set off on your next adventure, I truly hope you find what your heart seeks. And I hope you know that I will always be cheering you on every step of the way. You say that I don&#8217;t need you anymore, but I respectfully disagree. Here at Eternal, your spirit will live on &#8211; and I will replace your presence during our toughest moments with a question we will collectively ask ourselves &#8211; “what would Tuki do?”



Thank you for being the gold standard of what it means to be human.



With love and gratitude, Deepi

Farewell Akriti

Whilst we are absolutely thrilled by the success of the Diljit Dosanjh Dil-Luminati Tour it has come to our attention that fake tickets for Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-lumanati Tour in India are being sold by unauthorized individuals and on fake websites. We are incredibly disheartened by these attempts to fraud genuine fans out of an opportunity to attend the tour.



At Zomato Live we always strive to be ‘fan first’ and seeing multiple websites and platforms that mimic ours, asking fans to part with their money for non-existent tickets goes against everything that we stand for. On our side we have taken legal action against these fraudulent websites and individuals and are actively working with the authorities to have them taken down.



Please note that Zomato Live is the official ticketing partner for Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-luminati Tour in India which is accessible only through Zomato app, or at <a href="https://www.zomato.com/live" rel="nofollow">https://www.zomato.com/live</a>, and the tickets issued are in physical form only. The tickets purchased from any other third-party direct selling or reselling platforms such as Viagogo, Ticombo, StubHub, and other unofficial sources will be considered invalid, and individuals holding these tickets will be denied entry to the event.



We will continue to push legal action against all mediums taking part in this type of activity. In addition we urge everyone to refrain from engaging or buying from third-party reselling platforms such as Viagogo, Ticombo, StubHub, and other unofficial individuals or social handles.



Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!