New Delhi: Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal is trending after revealing that more than 8,000 former employees emailed him following a public call inviting ex-staff to return. He said the response was far higher than expected, highlighting continued interest in rejoining the food delivery platform.
Goyal had encouraged past employees to consider coming back, noting that those familiar with Zomato’s culture could quickly contribute to ongoing projects. The large response reflects strong brand engagement and signals the company’s focus on strengthening teams as it continues expanding operations across India’s competitive startup market.
A Public Call That Gained Momentum
The announcement quickly gained traction across professional and social media platforms, with many describing it as a strategic approach to hiring in India’s competitive startup ecosystem. The move stood out as an uncommon but practical way to reconnect with experienced talent.
Deepinder Goyal said former employees already understand Zomato’s culture and systems, which could reduce onboarding time and improve productivity. The company has not shared how many of the 8,000-plus emails will lead to hiring, but the response signals strong engagement from its former workforce.
The development comes at a time when startups are reassessing hiring strategies amid shifting market conditions. Reconnecting with former employees can help companies rebuild teams faster while reducing recruitment costs. Whether Zomato formalises this into a structured rehiring programme remains to be seen, but the response underlines sustained interest in the brand.
Why Companies Rehire Former Employees
Rehiring former staff often called “boomerang hiring” has become more common in the technology and startup sectors. Industry experts note that such hires can reduce training costs and improve team integration since returning employees are already aligned with company processes.
For fast-growing companies like Zomato, talent acquisition remains a key focus area. The food delivery platform operates across multiple Indian cities and has expanded into quick commerce and other digital services. As competition intensifies, retaining and attracting experienced professionals remains critical.
Zomato’s Growth Journey
Founded in 2008, Zomato has evolved from a restaurant discovery platform into one of India’s leading food delivery companies. The firm went public in 2021 and continues to expand its offerings in urban markets.
Over the years, the company has undergone structural changes, strategic acquisitions, and operational shifts. During such transitions, employee movement in and out of the organisation is common across the startup landscape.
Goyal’s latest outreach appears to signal confidence in the company’s growth plans and a willingness to reconnect with professionals who were once part of its workforce.
Social Media Reaction
The move sparked widespread discussion among entrepreneurs, HR leaders, and startup professionals across social and professional platforms. Some described it as a forward-looking hiring strategy that recognises the value of former employees, while others viewed it as a reflection of evolving workforce dynamics within India’s fast-changing technology sector.
Despite the strong response, Zomato has not issued an official statement outlining the hiring framework connected to the outreach. The company has also not clarified how it plans to review, filter, and shortlist the large number of applications received following Deepinder Goyal’s public appeal.
Broader Startup Ecosystem Context
India’s startup ecosystem has witnessed cycles of rapid hiring and layoffs in recent years, driven by funding trends and market conditions. In this environment, reconnecting with former employees could help companies quickly rebuild experienced teams without lengthy recruitment cycles.
While the long-term outcome of the initiative remains to be seen, the scale of the response over 8,000 emails indicates continued interest in working with one of India’s most recognised consumer technology brands.
As the story continues to trend online, industry observers will be watching whether the move results in a structured rehiring programme or remains a one-time outreach initiative.
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