In a significant push toward operational automation, food delivery giant Zomato (operating under its parent brand Eternal) officially launched a dedicated AI-powered hotline on February 9, 2026. The initiative is designed to simplify the traditionally complex onboarding process for delivery partners, transforming it into a swift, conversation-based experience.
By dialing the new hotline number—89200 89200—prospective delivery partners can initiate an automated onboarding journey that leverages artificial intelligence to handle documentation and verification in record time.
From Hours to Minutes: How the AI Hotline Works
The primary goal of the hotline is to eliminate the friction and “multi-step” hurdles that often deter potential gig workers. The AI system manages the end-to-end workflow through a seamless integration with WhatsApp.
- Step 1: The Call: A prospective partner gives a missed call or dials 89200 89200.
- Step 2: WhatsApp Trigger: The AI immediately initiates a WhatsApp chat with the user.
- Step 3: AI Verification: The AI parses uploaded ID proofs and performs background checks in real-time.
- Step 4: Activation: The entire process, from initial call to being ready for the first delivery, now takes under 20 minutes.
Early Success Metrics:
Since the soft launch and subsequent announcement, Zomato has reported receiving over 40,000 calls weekly, demonstrating a massive demand for simplified, flexible earning opportunities across India’s 800+ cities.
Part of the “Eternal” AI Strategy
The launch of the hotline follows Zomato’s broader strategy to integrate Agentic AI into every facet of its business. This hotline for partners complements the company’s recent focus on Nugget, its AI-native customer support platform launched in 2025.
| AI Initiative | Target Audience | Primary Function |
| 89200 Hotline | Delivery Partners | 20-minute onboarding & background checks. |
| Nugget | Businesses/Customers | Automates 80% of support queries via no-code AI. |
| Zia (Llama-based) | App Users | Conversational customer service with sub-10s resolution. |
| Healthy Mode | Consumers | AI-powered “Healthy Scores” for nutritional transparency. |
Strengthening the Gig Ecosystem
The AI hotline arrives at a critical time for Zomato. Founder Deepinder Goyal recently disclosed that the firm processes a high volume of churn, with nearly 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh workers leaving the platform monthly. By reducing the onboarding time to 20 minutes, Zomato aims to keep its fleet capacity stable and resilient against high turnover rates.
In addition to the AI speed, the company continues to offer its standard partner benefits, including weekly payouts, flexible hours, and comprehensive insurance coverage for its fleet.
