Eternal CEO Deepinder Goyal Steps Down, Hands Leadership to Blinkit Chief
In a major leadership shake-up that signals the rise of instant retail in India, Deepinder Goyal—the visionary co-founder and longtime CEO of Eternal (formerly Zomato)—is stepping down from his executive role. He’s handing the reins to Albinder Dhindsa, the current head of Blinkit, Eternal’s hyperlocal quick-commerce arm. The move comes as Blinkit surges ahead as the company’s fastest-growing division, with net order value soaring 121% year-over-year. For users searching “Who is the new CEO of Zomato?” or “Why is Deepinder Goyal stepping down?”, this transition marks both an end of an era and a strategic pivot toward the future of on-demand retail.
A Founder’s Evolution: From FoodieBay to Quick Commerce
Deepinder Goyal’s journey began in 2008 when he and Pankaj Chaddah launched FoodieBay—a restaurant review platform—while working at consulting firm Bain & Company. Within two years, they rebranded as Zomato, expanded into food delivery by 2015, and ultimately transformed into Eternal, a holding company overseeing multiple high-growth verticals.
The acquisition of Uber Eats’ India operations in 2020 and Grofers (later rebranded as Blinkit) in 2022 for $568 million were pivotal. But it’s Blinkit’s explosive growth—now accounting for the lion’s share of Eternal’s revenue—that has reshaped the company’s trajectory. Goyal’s decision to step back isn’t a retreat; it’s a recalibration. In a heartfelt letter to shareholders, he emphasized that this is “a change in title, not in commitment.”
Why Now? The Rise of Quick Commerce Drives Strategic Shift
Eternal’s Q3 2026 earnings tell a compelling story: adjusted revenue hit ₹166.92 billion ($1.8 billion), up 190% year-over-year, while profits climbed 73% to ₹1.02 billion. Behind those numbers is Blinkit—delivering groceries, electronics, and daily essentials in under 15 minutes across 40+ Indian cities.
This rapid scaling has made quick commerce not just a side bet, but the core engine of Eternal’s growth. Albinder Dhindsa, who previously co-founded Grofers in 2013 and steered its transformation into Blinkit post-acquisition, brings deep operational expertise in inventory-led, sub-30-minute delivery models. His promotion reflects Eternal’s belief that the future belongs to speed, convenience, and hyperlocal supply chains—not just restaurant meals.
What’s Next for Deepinder Goyal?
Goyal isn’t disappearing. As vice chairman of Eternal’s board, he’ll remain deeply involved in long-term strategy. But his day-to-day focus is shifting toward “higher-risk exploration and experimentation”—areas he says are harder to pursue within the rigid framework of a publicly traded company.
Already, he’s co-founded Continue Research, a longevity-focused initiative exploring human healthspan extension, and is developing “Temple,” an experimental brain-health wearable. He’s also backing LAT Aerospace, an aviation startup aiming to democratize regional air travel in emerging markets. These ventures reveal a founder unafraid to leap beyond his comfort zone—even after building one of India’s most valuable tech companies.
Albinder Dhindsa: The Quiet Architect of India’s Quick Commerce Boom
While Goyal became the face of India’s food-tech revolution, Dhindsa operated more quietly—but no less effectively. Under his leadership, Blinkit slashed delivery times, optimized dark store logistics, and introduced AI-driven demand forecasting that reduced waste and improved margins.
His philosophy centers on infrastructure: dense micro-fulfillment networks, real-time inventory sync, and localized assortment planning. Unlike marketplace models reliant on third-party sellers, Blinkit owns its inventory—a capital-intensive approach that’s now paying off in reliability and customer trust. With Dhindsa at the helm of all of Eternal, insiders expect even tighter integration between food delivery and quick commerce, potentially unlocking cross-selling and shared logistics efficiencies.
Market Reaction and Investor Confidence
Investors responded positively to the announcement. Eternal’s stock rose 4.2% in early trading on the NSE following the news. Analysts see the leadership transition as a natural evolution. “Goyal built the dream; Dhindsa is scaling the machine,” said Priya Mehta, senior tech analyst at Mumbai-based Horizon Capital. “This isn’t a disruption—it’s maturation.”
The timing is strategic. With rivals like Swiggy’s Instamart and BigBasket’s BB Instant still playing catch-up, Eternal is leveraging Blinkit’s first-mover advantage to lock in urban consumers who now expect everything—from paracetamol to plant-based milk—in minutes, not hours.
A New Chapter for Eternal—and Indian Tech
This leadership handoff symbolizes a broader shift in India’s digital economy. The era of “food-first” platforms is giving way to “everything-on-demand” ecosystems. Eternal’s rebrand from Zomato wasn’t just cosmetic—it was a declaration of intent.
Under Dhindsa, expect bolder moves: expansion into Tier-2 cities, deeper private-label offerings, and possibly international forays into Southeast Asia or the Middle East, where quick commerce is still nascent. Meanwhile, Goyal’s experimental projects could seed Eternal’s next big bet—perhaps in health tech or sustainable mobility.
The Human Element Behind the Headlines
What makes this transition resonate isn’t just the business logic—it’s the human story. Goyal, once a consultant moonlighting on a restaurant directory, became a household name. Now, at 42, he’s choosing curiosity over control. Dhindsa, a serial entrepreneur who rebuilt Grofers from near-collapse into a profit-generating powerhouse, embodies resilience.
Their partnership—now reversed in hierarchy but aligned in vision—could become a case study in graceful founder succession. In a startup culture often marred by ego clashes and abrupt exits, this handover feels deliberate, respectful, and forward-looking.
Speed Wins, But Vision Endures
As Eternal enters its next phase, one truth remains clear: consumer expectations have permanently shifted. Waiting 30 minutes for dinner feels slow when your toothpaste can arrive in 12. Blinkit’s success proves that infrastructure beats algorithms when it comes to real-world utility.
Yet without Goyal’s original spark—the belief that tech could transform how Indians discover, order, and experience food—none of this would exist. His legacy isn’t just a company; it’s a blueprint for building category-defining businesses in emerging markets. And now, by empowering Dhindsa to lead, he’s ensuring that blueprint evolves with the times.
For millions of users who tap their phones for everything from biryani to batteries, the message is simple: your next delivery just got faster—and the company behind it just got smarter.
