Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: January 17, 2026

1. Introduction

Welcome to Home Meal App ("Platform," "Service," "we," "us," or "our"). These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our home-cooked meal delivery marketplace platform, including our mobile applications, websites, and related services.

By accessing or using our Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.

2. Definitions

"Platform": The Home Meal App marketplace, including mobile applications, websites, and all related services
"User": Any person who accesses or uses the Platform
"Buyer": A user who orders meals through the Platform
"Seller": A home chef or restaurant that lists and sells meals on the Platform
"Driver": An independent contractor who delivers meals through the Platform
"Content": All information, data, text, images, and other materials available on the Platform
"Order": A transaction for meal purchase and delivery facilitated by the Platform

3. Eligibility

3.1 Age Requirements

You must be at least 18 years old to use the Platform. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age.

3.2 Account Registration

You must provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account
You must notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account

3.3 Account Suspension

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for:

Violation of these Terms
Fraudulent or illegal activity
Abuse of other users
Non-payment of fees
Any conduct that we deem harmful to the Platform or other users

4. Platform Services

4.1 Marketplace Services

The Platform operates as a marketplace that:

Connects Buyers with Sellers offering home-cooked meals
Facilitates order placement, payment processing, and delivery coordination
Provides communication tools between users
Does not directly prepare, sell, or deliver meals

4.2 No Employment Relationship

Sellers and Drivers are independent contractors, not employees of the Platform
The Platform does not control how Sellers prepare meals or how Drivers deliver orders
All users are responsible for their own tax obligations

4.3 Service Availability

The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis
We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service
We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Platform at any time

5. User Obligations

5.1 Lawful Use

You agree to:

Use the Platform only for lawful purposes
Comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances
Not engage in any fraudulent, abusive, or illegal activity
Not interfere with or disrupt the Platform or servers

5.2 Prohibited Conduct

You may not:

Impersonate any person or entity
Upload viruses or malicious code
Harvest or collect user information without consent
Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without permission
Circumvent security features or access restrictions
Engage in price manipulation or fake reviews
Harass, threaten, or abuse other users
Post false, misleading, or defamatory content

5.3 Content Standards

All content you submit must:

Be accurate and not misleading
Not violate intellectual property rights
Not contain hate speech, violence, or illegal content
Comply with food safety and labeling requirements (for Sellers)

6. Fees and Payment

6.1 Service Fees

The Platform charges service fees as outlined in role-specific terms
Fees are subject to change with 30 days' notice
All fees are exclusive of applicable taxes

6.2 Payment Processing

Payments are processed through third-party payment processors
You authorize us to charge your payment method for all fees
You are responsible for any fees charged by your payment provider
Failed payments may result in order cancellation or account suspension

6.3 Currency

All prices are displayed in USD unless otherwise specified. Exchange rates for other currencies may vary.

7. Intellectual Property

7.1 Platform Ownership

The Platform and all content, features, and functionality are owned by us
Our trademarks, logos, and service marks are our property
You may not use our intellectual property without written permission

7.2 User Content License

By submitting content to the Platform, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to:

Use, reproduce, modify, and display your content
Distribute and sublicense your content in connection with the Platform
Create derivative works based on your content

7.3 User Content Responsibility

You retain ownership of content you submit
You are responsible for ensuring you have rights to all content you submit
We may remove content that violates these Terms without notice

8. Privacy and Data Protection

8.1 Privacy Policy

Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Platform, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

8.2 Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your data
No method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure
You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials

8.3 Communications

By using the Platform, you consent to receive:

Transactional emails and notifications
Service updates and announcements
Marketing communications (with opt-out option)

8.4 Call Recording and Consent

Some support or safety-related calls may be recorded where permitted by law.
You will receive notice when recording is enabled and may be asked to provide consent.
If you do not consent, you may use alternative support channels (e.g., in-app chat or email).

9. Disclaimers and Limitations of Liability

9.1 Disclaimers

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING:

Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
Warranties regarding the quality, safety, or legality of meals
Warranties regarding delivery times or service availability
Warranties that the Platform will be error-free or secure

9.2 Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW:

We are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages
Our total liability shall not exceed the fees you paid in the 12 months preceding the claim
We are not liable for actions of Sellers, Drivers, or other users
We are not liable for food quality, safety, or allergic reactions

9.3 Third-Party Services

The Platform may contain links to third-party websites or services
We are not responsible for third-party content or services
Your use of third-party services is at your own risk

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Platform, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

Your use of the Platform
Your violation of these Terms
Your violation of any rights of another party
Your content or conduct on the Platform

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Informal Resolution

Before filing a claim, you agree to contact us at legal@home-meal.website to attempt to resolve the dispute informally.

11.2 Binding Arbitration

Any dispute arising from these Terms or the Platform shall be resolved through binding arbitration, except:

Small claims court matters
Intellectual property disputes
Injunctive relief matters

11.3 Arbitration Rules

Arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator
Arbitration shall follow the rules of the American Arbitration Association
Arbitration shall take place in [Your Jurisdiction]
Each party shall bear their own costs and fees

11.4 Class Action Waiver

You agree to resolve disputes on an individual basis only. You waive any right to participate in class actions, consolidated proceedings, or representative actions.

12. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of [Your Jurisdiction], without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any legal action must be brought in the courts located in [Your Jurisdiction].

13. Modifications to Terms

13.1 Right to Modify

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of material changes by:

Posting updated Terms on the Platform
Sending email notification to registered users
Displaying a prominent notice on the Platform

13.2 Acceptance of Changes

Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree to the changes, you must stop using the Platform.

14. Termination

14.1 Termination by User

You may terminate your account at any time by:

Contacting customer support
Using the account deletion feature in the app
Note: Termination does not cancel pending orders or obligations

14.2 Termination by Platform

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately if:

You violate these Terms
You engage in fraudulent or illegal activity
Your account has been inactive for over 2 years
We cease operations

14.3 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

Your right to access the Platform ceases immediately
We may delete your account and content
Provisions regarding liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution survive
You remain liable for any outstanding fees or obligations

15. Miscellaneous

15.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy and role-specific terms, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Platform.

15.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

15.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

15.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

15.5 Force Majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures caused by circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including natural disasters, war, terrorism, pandemics, or government actions.

15.6 Language

These Terms are provided in English. Any translations are for convenience only. In case of conflict, the English version prevails.

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us:

Home Meal App Legal Department General Inquiries: info@home-meal.website Email: legal@home-meal.website Support: support@home-meal.website Phone: +1 (555) 123-4567 Address: [Your Business Address]

17. Acknowledgment

BY USING THE PLATFORM, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

Effective Date: January 17, 2026 Version: 1.0

General Terms & Conditions