Foodpanda Bangladesh has alleged that several leading restaurants in Chattogram are being pressured to participate in protest programmes against the food delivery platform. The company claims that some restaurant partners are being urged to suspend Foodpanda services and switch to competing delivery platforms, warning that such practices could undermine business autonomy and fair competition.

Jahidul Islam, head of Public Affairs and Public Relations at Foodpanda Bangladesh, made the allegations in a statement. He claimed that some restaurant partners were being pressured to switch off their Foodpanda service tabs and use competing platforms.

Foodpanda described such practices as illegal and harmful to fair competition. The company said restaurant owners should have the freedom to make independent business decisions and choose their preferred delivery partners without pressure or intimidation.

Earlier, on October 10, the Chattogram metropolitan unit of the Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association held a press conference and presented six demands. The association warned that it could suspend or completely stop accepting orders through Foodpanda if its demands were not met.

At the press conference, restaurant owners alleged that Foodpanda imposes additional charges beyond the agreed commission, makes unclear deductions and delays payments. Their demands include capping total charges at 15 per cent, providing transparent, itemised statements of deductions, compensating restaurants for certain order cancellations, ending penalties caused by riders’ delays, stopping deductions based on unverified customer complaints and settling payments within seven days.

In response to the allegations, Foodpanda said it enters into direct agreements with individual restaurants. The company said commercial terms are discussed directly with the respective restaurant partners rather than through third-party organisations. It maintained that the agreements are based on mutual consent and trust.

Foodpanda also expressed its willingness to hold direct discussions with restaurant partners in Chattogram to address their demands and concerns. The company warned that suspending its services could reduce restaurant sales, lower riders’ earnings and cause inconvenience to customers.

The company reiterated its commitment to resolving the ongoing situation through dialogue while taking into account the interests of all parties involved.