Zomato Founder Deepinder Goyal Steps Down as Eternal CEO After 18 Years

Deepinder Goyal, the founder and long-serving chief executive of Zomato’s parent company Eternal Ltd, has resigned from his position as CEO and Managing Director, effective February 1, 2026. Goyal built Zomato from a simple restaurant discovery platform in 2008 into one of India’s leading digital food delivery and fintech companies. Over nearly 18 years at the helm, he oversaw rapid growth, multiple business expansions, a public listing, and key acquisitions, including quick commerce leader Blinkit.

The company confirmed Goyal’s departure from the CEO role in a regulatory filing and through a letter Goyal shared with shareholders. This change marks a significant leadership shift for the business, not because the company is underperforming, its most recent quarter showed strong results, but because Goyal is choosing a new direction for his career.

Taking over as Group CEO is Albinder Dhindsa, who previously led the company’s quick-commerce arm, Blinkit. Dhindsa’s leadership of Blinkit has been a major factor in that business’s rapid growth, which has made quick commerce one of Eternal’s fastest-growing revenue segments. His appointment signals the company’s strategic focus on areas with strong momentum, particularly instant delivery and other high-growth digital services.

In his letter to shareholders, Goyal explained his decision to step down from day-to-day leadership. He said he is drawn to pursue new, higher-risk ideas and ventures that don’t fit easily within the structure and regulatory demands of a large, publicly listed company. Goyal’s comments suggest his personal passions are shifting toward experimentation, innovation, and entrepreneurial work outside the routine management of a big corporate entity. This doesn’t mean he is leaving the company entirely; Goyal will remain on Eternal’s Board of Directors as Vice Chairman, subject to shareholder approval. In this role, he will be involved in long-term strategy, culture, leadership development, and corporate governance, but will not be responsible for daily operations.

The leadership transition comes at a time when Eternal’s financial performance has been strong. According to filings accompanying Goyal’s announcement, Eternal reported a consolidated net profit of ₹102 crore in Q3 FY26, a 73% year-on-year jump. Revenue from operations also saw strong growth during the period. These results suggest the company’s overall business health remains solid, and the change in leadership is part of a planned strategic evolution rather than a response to weak performance.

Appointing Dhindsa as CEO aligns the company’s executive leadership with the learning curve and growth trajectory of the business. Blinkit, acquired as part of the company’s quick commerce expansion, has now been fully integrated into the group and represents a key growth engine. Dhindsa’s experience scaling Blinkit and driving innovation in fast delivery makes him a logical successor to guide Eternal through its next phase of growth.

Overall, the leadership change reflects a broader shift in Eternal’s corporate focus. As the company enters a new chapter with diversified offerings that go beyond food delivery, from grocery and quick commerce to financial technology, aligning executive leadership with these strategic priorities is key. Having Goyal remain on the board as Vice Chairman ensures continuity of vision and values while empowering new leadership to drive operational execution and growth.

In summary, Deepinder Goyal’s resignation as CEO of Eternal marks the end of an era in Indian tech leadership, but also the beginning of a new phase for the company. With Albinder Dhindsa at the helm and Goyal transitioning to a board leadership role, Eternal is positioning itself for continued innovation and expansion. The strong financial results in the latest quarter provide a solid backdrop for this transition, reinforcing confidence in the company’s future direction.