Deepinder Goyal hits back at claims of ‘chaos’ at Zomato, calls allegations ‘utter nonsense’

Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal on Friday dismissed allegations circulating on Reddit that suggested the Gurgaon-headquartered food delivery giant was grappling with internal chaos and losing market share. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Goyal labelled the claims “utter nonsense,” assuring stakeholders and customers that the company remains on solid ground.

The controversy erupted after a post on the subreddit StartUpIndia, purportedly from an anonymous Zomato employee, painted a grim picture of the company’s internal dynamics. The post alleged that Zomato had acknowledged losing significant ground to competitors like Swiggy and Zepto Café, triggering a wave of panic among leadership. According to the claims, employees were being mandated to place a minimum of seven monthly orders via Zomato, with a ban imposed on using rival platforms within the office premises.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Reddit user also accused the company of offering inadequate pay to its delivery partners and frustrating restaurant collaborators with its policies.

Responding swiftly, Goyal categorically denied the accusations. “Neither are we losing market share, nor will we ever force our employees to order on Zomato. Freedom of choice is something we stand for vehemently,” he wrote on X. Expressing gratitude to those who reached out with concern, he added, “It is embarrassing to even clarify this, but I’m doing it since so many people seemed genuinely worried.”

The controversy sparked lively debates across social media. One former employee claimed that while they could not verify the market share concerns, internal rules did prohibit ordering from Swiggy under certain conditions. Another user defended Zomato, arguing that compared to Swiggy, Zomato’s user interface was superior, and it was unlikely employees needed to be coerced.

Others urged Goyal to address the situation more transparently. “If it’s false, prove it with numbers,” one commenter suggested, warning that mere denials might only inflame the situation further.

As speculation swirled online, Goyal’s direct and dismissive response aimed to put the rumours to rest—at least for now.