How far should a restaurant deliver?
Updated 5 October 2026
Short enough that hot food arrives hot. FSSAI says high-risk hot food should reach the customer within two hours of preparation.
- Longer journeys need hot-holding at 65 C or chilling to 5 C, says FSSAI.
- Choose a radius your riders can cover well at lunch and dinner peaks.
- Start small and widen it only if orders arrive in good time.
- Customers outside your radius can be offered takeaway instead.
Set the distance you can really cover
Set your delivery radius or draw delivery zones in your Menuthere dashboard. Customers outside the area are asked to choose takeaway.
Next questions
Sources (2)
- FSSAI Schedule 4 Part V direction, FSSAI, file dated 2024/07; read 30 Sep 2026
- Menuthere delivery management, Menuthere, read 30 September 2026