Deepinder Goyal, co founder and chief executive officer of Zomato and its parent company Eternal, has announced his decision to step down from day to day leadership, handing over the top role to Albinder Dhindsa, the chief executive of quick commerce arm Blinkit. Goyal will remain on the company’s board as vice chairman, saying he wants to focus on high risk exploration and experimentation that is difficult to pursue within the structure of a listed company.
In a letter to shareholders, Goyal described the move as a change in title rather than a withdrawal from the company’s long term vision. He said Eternal remains his life’s work, even as he shifts attention to innovation driven projects outside the core business. The transition comes at a time when Blinkit has emerged as the fastest growing unit within the group, reflecting a broader shift in India’s consumer internet economy toward rapid delivery and convenience led services.
Goyal co founded the company in 2008 with Pankaj Chaddah as FoodieBay, a restaurant discovery and reviews platform, before rebranding it as Zomato and expanding into food delivery in 2015. Over the years, the company strengthened its market position through major acquisitions, including Uber Eats India in 2020 and Blinkit in 2022. Chaddah exited the business in 2018, leaving Goyal as the public face of Zomato’s growth and eventual listing.
The leadership change follows a strong financial quarter for Eternal, with profit rising by about 73 percent year on year and adjusted revenue jumping sharply. Blinkit stood out during the period, recording a 121 percent increase in net order value, underlining its growing influence within the group as consumer demand tilts toward quick commerce rather than traditional food delivery.
Beyond Eternal, Goyal has been involved in a range of technology driven ventures, including a longevity research initiative, an experimental brain health wearable, and an aviation startup, alongside his role as an angel investor. Analysts see the handover as a signal of Blinkit’s central role in the company’s future, even as the quick commerce sector faces increased regulatory scrutiny over delivery timelines and working conditions for gig workers across India.