Zomato Founder Welcomes Back 400+ Former Employees

The founder of one of India's biggest food delivery companies just sent a heartfelt message to everyone who ever worked there: come home.

Deepinder Goyal, who built Zomato from scratch, posted an open letter Tuesday admitting his company wasn't always the best place to work. He acknowledged that many talented people left because the environment or leadership fell short of what they deserved.

But something remarkable has been happening quietly behind the scenes. More than 400 former employees have already returned to the company for second or third stints, and they're thriving in ways they didn't before.

"Many of them are doing their best work now," Goyal wrote. "Maybe because they've grown, but also because the company has grown."

Goyal recently stepped down as Group CEO of Eternal, Zomato's parent company, to take on a Vice Chairman role focused on new ventures. Blinkit CEO Albinder Dhindsa now leads the group, which has expanded far beyond food delivery into quick commerce, ambulance services, restaurant supplies, and hunger relief.

The transformation reflects a broader shift in workplace culture. Goyal openly admits the company used to be chaotic and disorganized, common growing pains for fast-scaling startups.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story special isn't just about rehiring. It's about a leader publicly acknowledging mistakes and personal growth while creating space for others to return without shame or awkwardness.

"If you haven't reached out because you think the door is closed, or because you think I'm holding onto the past, I'm not," Goyal wrote directly to former team members. "I want you back."

That kind of vulnerability from a CEO is rare, especially in India's competitive tech industry where egos often run high. Goyal's willingness to admit he's learned and changed sets a powerful example for leaders everywhere.

The company now operates as a family of ventures including Zomato food delivery, Blinkit quick commerce and ambulances, District restaurants, Hyperpure supplier services, and Feeding India charity. Each needs people who understand the mission and care enough to fight for it.

Goyal encouraged anyone interested in returning to email him directly to discuss roles, promising he remains deeply involved despite his leadership transition.

For the 400 employees who've already come back, the second chance seems to be working out better than the first.