In a clear move to reward and retain talent, Eternal Limited, the parent company of Zomato, has approved a fresh round of employee stock options (ESOPs) worth around ₹172 crore. The company will grant over 74 lakh stock options to its employees, strengthening its focus on long-term incentives.
The approval came from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee on April 1, 2026. This step highlights how Eternal is increasingly relying on equity-based rewards to keep its workforce motivated in a competitive startup ecosystem.
Majority Allocation Under New ESOP Plan
Out of the total allocation, more than 56 lakh stock options have been issued under the ESOP 2024 scheme. This indicates that the company is focusing more on rewarding current employees and new talent.
Around 18 lakh options have been granted under the ESOP 2021 plan, while only a small portion comes from the older 2014 scheme. This structured distribution ensures that employees across different levels and tenures benefit from the company’s growth.
Each stock option can be converted into one equity share with a face value of ₹1. Interestingly, the exercise price is also set at ₹1, making it highly beneficial for employees if the company’s stock performs well in the future.
Employee-Friendly Features and Long-Term Focus
One of the biggest highlights of this ESOP plan is its flexibility. Employees get up to 10 years to exercise their options, with some cases allowing even longer timelines. There is also no lock-in period after exercising, giving employees full control over their shares.
This announcement comes at a time when Eternal is showing steady financial growth. The company recently reported revenue of ₹16,315 crore along with a profit of ₹102 crore in FY26. Overall, this ESOP rollout reflects Eternal’s strategy of sharing success with its employees while building a strong and committed team for the future.