People · Commerce & Consumer Brands

Rebel Foods appoints Ankush Grover as CEO

By Startup Enthusiast · 18 July 2025

What they do

Rebel Foods runs cloud kitchens that power brands like Faasos, Behrouz Biryani and Wendy’s India across India and abroad

The co‑founder Ankush Grover has been elevated to global CEO, while Jaydeep Barman moves to chairman and group CEO

The reshuffle readies the unicorn for a potential IPO by centralising leadership and focusing on profitability and international expansion

Rebel Foods announced that co‑founder Ankush Grover is now global Chief Executive Officer.
Outgoing CEO and co‑founder Jaydeep Barman will become Chairman and Group CEO, overseeing strategy and investee companies.
All core functions—technology, finance, marketing and human resources—will now report directly to Grover.
The change follows a restructuring that closed offices in Gurugram and Bengaluru and consolidated staff in Mumbai.
It comes as the company prepares for a possible public listing and is streamlining its brand portfolio, including talks to sell Smoor.
Rebel Foods operates over 450 cloud kitchens in more than 70 cities, managing brands such as Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven Story, and Wendy’s India.
The firm reported FY24 operating revenue of ₹1,420 crore, a 19% rise, and narrowed its net loss by 42% to ₹378 crore.

The leadership shift signals a focus on operational excellence ahead of an anticipated IPO.
Exiting under‑performing premium brand Smoor reflects a drive to sharpen profitability.

Rebel Foods builds and manages cloud kitchens that host multiple restaurant brands under a single platform.
Brands include Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven Story Pizza, The Good Bowl, and the Wendy’s India franchise.
The company sells food through its own ordering app EatSure and partner delivery platforms.
Revenue is generated from food sales and licensing its brand and technology to partners.
It operates in India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.
Over 450 kitchens serve around 250,000 orders daily across more than 70 cities.
The business model emphasizes high‑volume, low‑cost delivery and data‑driven menu optimisation.

The company is preparing for a potential public listing (IPO) in the near future.
It will double down on international expansion through brand licensing and strategic partnerships.

Temasek (existing) — Singapore sovereign wealth fund, lead investor in Series G
Coatue (existing) — US venture capital firm
Peak XV Partners (existing) — Venture capital investor
Lightbox (existing) — Venture capital investor
Evolvence (existing) — Participated in Series G round
Qatar Investment Authority (existing) — Sovereign wealth fund that led 2021 unicorn round

Product: Multi-brand cloud kitchen and food delivery platform.
Customers: Urban consumers ordering meals from its owned brands.
How it makes money: Sells prepared food through owned brands and delivery channels.
What sets it apart: Runs a large portfolio of in-house food brands across a wide kitchen network.
Operations: Operates cloud kitchens and consumer food brands, with some dine-in and quick-delivery experiments.