Deepinder Goyal has found himself overwhelmed after inviting former employees of Eternal, formerly known as Zomato, to return to the company. Just a week after his public appeal, the founder revealed that he received more than 8,000 emails, far exceeding his expectations.
The response highlighted the strong emotional bond many former employees still share with the food delivery and quick-commerce company.
Half the Emails Came From Former Zomato Employees
Sharing details on social media, Deepinder Goyal said nearly 4,000 emails came from company alumni who were once part of Zomato’s nearly 20-year journey. The remaining emails were sent by people who had never worked at the company but expressed a strong desire to join.
Goyal said many messages included deeply personal stories, some stretching back more than a decade.
Emails Full of Emotion and Honesty, Says Deepinder Goyal
The Eternal founder admitted that the scale of the response surprised him. He described the emails as emotional and honest, with many former employees sharing their complete work history with the company.
“A lot of our current team has no idea about people who left five, ten, or even fifteen years ago,” Goyal wrote. He added that only he could truly understand which messages needed a response.
Founder Asks Close Ex-Colleagues to Message Him on WhatsApp
Handling thousands of emails has created a challenge. Goyal admitted it is not possible to read and reply to all messages quickly.
To manage the situation, he made an unusual request. He asked former colleagues who worked closely with him to skip the official email ID and contact him directly on WhatsApp by finding his personal number.
Surge Comes After Zomato Rebranded as Eternal
The renewed interest comes at a crucial time for the company. Last year, Zomato rebranded its parent entity as Eternal Limited. The move reflected the company’s expanding business beyond food delivery.
Eternal now includes Blinkit for quick commerce, Hyperpure for B2B supplies, and District, which focuses on events and experiences.
Deepinder Goyal Acknowledges Past Mistakes
Although Deepinder Goyal recently stepped down as Group CEO, he continues to shape the company’s culture as Vice Chairman. His invitation to former employees also included an honest admission of past leadership mistakes.
He promised a more stable and less chaotic work environment for those willing to return for a second or even third stint.
