Is chotu an Online Food App? Here’s How It Actually Helps Local Chaat Bhandars Go Online

From golgappa and sev puri to ragda patties and pav bhaji, India’s local chaat bhandars have always been the heart of street food culture. But with changing customer habits, rising expectations, and the increasing popularity of online search, even traditional chaat sellers are realizing one thing:

The future of chaat shops is digital.

But chotu is NOT an online food delivery app.

It is something far more powerful for small businesses.

Instead of becoming a marketplace that takes away your customer list or demands commissions, chotu helps chaat bhandars create their own digital storefront, build their brand, and receive orders directly from customers on WhatsApp.

This means more visibility, more repeat business, and a simple way to go online-without the complexity of food delivery platforms.

Why chaat Bhandars Should Not Depend on Traditional Food Apps

Typical food delivery apps always come with hidden drawbacks:

  • High commissions
  • Strict delivery rules
  • Competing with bigger brands on the same page
  • Discounts forced by the platform
  • No ownership of customer data
  • Dependency on the app for all orders

For small chaat outlets, this often means:

  • Low margins
  • Reduced walk-ins
  • Less customer loyalty

That’s why chotu was built-to put control back in the hands of local sellers.

How chotu Helps Chaat Bhandars Go Online Effortlessly

Instead of functioning like a food delivery app, chotu empowers chaat shops with tools that make it easy to discover, order, and connect digitally.

1. A Dedicated Online Store for Your Chaat Shop

You get your own chotu store link such as:

chotu.com/local/chaat-shop-in-your-area

Where you can list popular items like:

  • Pani Puri / Golgappa
  • Sev Puri
  • Dahi Puri
  • Bhel Puri
  • Samosa Chaat
  • Masala Puri
  • Aloo Tikki
  • Ragda Patties
  • Pav Bhaji

No prices needed-just clean images and clear descriptions.

This improves your online presence for search queries like:

  • chaat bhandar near me
  • pani puri shop near me
  • bhel puri near me

2. Direct WhatsApp Ordering

chotu redirects customers directly to your WhatsApp, not to a marketplace cart.

Meaning:

  • You speak with the customer
  • You confirm orders
  • You manage pickup or delivery
  • You build personal rapport

This grows long-term customer loyalty-something no aggregator can offer.

3. Zero Commission Model

Unlike food apps that reduce your margins, chotu:

  • Takes no commission
  • Lets you keep 100% earnings
  • Allows you to manage your own offers and combos

Your business stays profitable and independent.

4. Daily Menu & Stock Updates Made Easy

Chaat bhandars often have:

  • Special evening items
  • Weekend-exclusive dishes
  • Seasonal chaat offerings

With chotu, updating availability is simple and instant.

5. SEO-Boosted Local Visibility

Every store created on chotu is designed to rank on Google for local intent searches like:

  • chaat near me
  • pani puri near me
  • pav bhaji near me
  • best chaat in

This means free organic customers without advertisements.

Create Your Chaat Bhandar Online Store on chotu for FREE

Visit owner.chotu.com/sell-online.

In a few simple steps, you’ll have your digital profile ready:

  • Add your store name and mobile number
  • Use pre-built menu or add your products/services with short descriptions

Your store link will be instantly ready to share with customers.

Why chotu Works Better Than Food Apps for Chaat Sellers

1. You own your customer base

Orders land on your WhatsApp, not shared by multiple vendors.

2. You don’t compete with bigger brands

Your store stands alone-no gutter-like listings or crowded pages.

3. You avoid commissions

Everything you earn stays with you.

4. You build your brand identity

Your shop name, your dishes, your following-not the platform’s.

5. You stay local, but look professional

Perfect for chaat stalls, carts, kiosks, and full chaat houses.

Real Chaat Bhandars Already Use chotu

Across India, chaat sellers are using chotu to:

  • Share today’s special chaat
  • Promote festive menu items
  • Build a WhatsApp customer list
  • Increase evening order volume
  • Get discovered on Google
  • Boost walk-ins through online visibility

Some shops even use chotu to manage bulk orders for corporate events and parties.

The Future of Chaat Bhandars Is Digital

Customers now search before they eat.

They expect quick communication, availability updates, and digital convenience.

A chaat shop that goes online today becomes the most trusted shop in the locality tomorrow.

chotu makes this transformation effortless.

Ready to Take Your Chaat Bhandar Online?

Start in seconds:

👉 Visit owner.chotu.com/sell-online

👉 Set up your store

👉 Share your link

👉 Receive orders directly on WhatsApp

chotu is not a food delivery app.It is your digital partner for long-term growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is chotu?
Namaste. I am chotu, your friendly shopboy. I make ordering from your shop simple on WhatsApp.
What does chotu do?
Customers can see your full product list online (like Zepto/Blinkit). They add to cart and order directly on WhatsApp.
Is chotu like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto or Blinkit?
No. Those are delivery apps made for buyers. They control prices, delivery, and own your customer data. chotu is an ordering app made for you, the shopkeeper. You keep full control: prices, payments and your customer info.
Is chotu same as WhatsApp Business Catalog?
Almost, but one big difference: With chotu, you get a ready-made catalog for your shop type. No need to type a single word. Just turn OFF items you don’t sell. Plus, you get a QR code and link to share anywhere.
Do customers order with me directly or with chotu?
Orders come straight to your WhatsApp. chotu does not know what is ordered or who your customer is.
Do customers need to download chotu?
No. They can order by:
  • Scanning your QR code


  • Clicking your shop link

(If they install chotu, it only makes reordering easier.)

So, there are two apps?
Yes, the red chotu app is for buyers, golden chotu Owner app is for you, the shopkeeper. You can install both if you want.

How will my shop look?
Like any online store (Amazon/Flipkart). Buyers can browse, search, and add to cart. Click on LIVE DEMO to see how your shop will look.
Do I need a laptop, Excel, or English?
No. Only a WhatsApp number is enough. Works in all Indian languages. chotu runs only on mobile.
How much does chotu cost?
Starts ₹999, one-time payment. No rent. No subscription. No commission. It’s your shop forever.
How do I get paid?
Customers pay you directly, not through chotu. They can give cash in hand or through UPI (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, etc.). No change in payments at all.


Will chotu deliver orders?
No. Delivery is your choice.
  • Ask customer to pick up


  • Send through your boy/helper
  • Use Rapido, Dunzo, etc.


Can customers pay cash?
Yes. As always.
How will I know if I got an order?
You’ll hear a “ka-ching” on the chotu Owner app and get the order on WhatsApp.
Can customers order at night?
Yes. 24×7. You can deliver when you are open.
My customers have cousins in the USA, can they also order?
Yes. Your shop is now open to the whole world, 24X7.
How do I promote my shop?
When you buy a shop, you get a shop link and a QR.
  • Share shop link on WhatsApp Status, Groups, Instagram, YouTube, etc.


  • Print QR on your shopboard, visiting cards, no-parking boards.


Will I get new customers?
Yes, through your link/QR and local promotion. With VIP Pass, your shop ranks higher on chotu search.
What is VIP Pass?
VIP Pass is a value added service with extra benefits:
  • Higher ranking in customer searches
  • Ability to edit your shop details
  • Priority customer support
How do I buy the VIP Pass?
All shops come with a built-in FREE VIP Pass. You do not need to purchase it right now. You can login to the chotu Owner app to buy the VIP Pass later.
Do I need GST or a physical shop?
No. Just a WhatsApp number is enough. Physical shop is optional.
What does owning a shop mean on chotu?
Like you buy a shop in the real world, you are buying a space in the digital world, which is yours forever.
What if I don’t get orders at first?
Share your shop link with existing customers. Once they try it, they will reorder and refer new buyers. If you have a Google My Business profile, you should update your shop link there too to get more orders.
Who is behind chotu? Can I trust it?
The team has decades of experience at Microsoft, Oracle, airtel and studied at IIT & IIM. They are building chotu with only one purpose: make ordering with local shops as easy as UPI made payments.
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