Indian cloud kitchen giant Rebel Foods has appointed its co-founder Ankush Grover as the new global Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking a significant leadership transition as the company prepares for its upcoming Initial Public Offering (IPO). Grover, who has led the company’s Indian operations since 2023, will now drive all core global functions including technology, finance, marketing, and human resources.
He succeeds co-founder Jaydeep Barman, who will assume the role of chairman and group CEO. Barman will continue to shape the long-term strategic vision and oversee the broader portfolio of Rebel Foods’ investments, enabling a sharper focus on scale and innovation under Grover’s leadership.
Ankush Grover: From India Head to Global Helm
An alumnus of NIT Jamshedpur and IIT Bombay, Ankush Grover has been instrumental in Rebel Foods’ growth over the past 13 years. Starting as a key founding member, he propelled the company’s India and Middle East-North Africa (MENA) operations, successfully expanding Rebel’s footprint across 70 cities in India and beyond.
Now, as global CEO, Grover will focus on consolidating Rebel’s market leadership, accelerating international expansion, and optimizing operational excellence across its multi-brand cloud kitchen ecosystem.
Strategic Realignment Ahead of IPO
This leadership reshuffle aligns with Rebel Foods’ broader strategy to streamline operations and sharpen its business model ahead of a likely IPO scheduled between early 2026. The company has recently undertaken measures such as centralizing teams in Mumbai and rationalizing its brand portfolio to boost profitability and efficiency.
For fiscal year 2024, Rebel Foods reported a 19% increase in revenue to Rs 1,420.2 crore while narrowing net losses by 42% to Rs 378.2 crore. The cloud kitchen powerhouse operates over 450 kitchens across 70+ Indian cities and boasts popular brands like Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Ovenstory Pizza, SLAY Coffee, and Wendy’s India.
Expanding Global Presence and Technological Innovation
Under Grover’s stewardship, Rebel Foods aims to accelerate its international growth through expanded brand licensing and strategic partnerships, particularly in markets such as the UAE and the UK. The company is also focusing on innovation-driven solutions like QuickiES, a 15-minute delivery service launched earlier this year to compete with major players like Zomato and Swiggy.
“With all core functions — including technology, finance, marketing, and HR — now reporting directly to me, the goal is to streamline our global operations, enhance customer experience, and position Rebel Foods as a truly global cloud kitchen leader,” Grover remarked.
Jaydeep Barman’s Strategic Role as Chairman
Jaydeep Barman, co-founder and former CEO, expressed confidence in Grover’s abilities to lead the company’s next decade of growth. “After deep introspection, it came down to two names — me or Ankush. I’ve decided it should be Ankush because he’s an order of magnitude better at things that matter most for Rebel’s future,” Barman shared.
In his chairman and group CEO role, Barman will continue mentoring the leadership team and overseeing the group’s broader investments, ensuring strategic alignment and innovation focus remain intact.
Rebel Foods: Pioneering India’s Cloud Kitchen Revolution
Since its inception in 2011 by Jaydeep Barman and Kallol Banerjee, Rebel Foods has revolutionized the online food delivery space by operating one of the world’s largest cloud kitchen networks. Processing nearly a quarter million orders daily, it has catalyzed the growth of on-demand food culture across India and internationally.
The company’s ability to scale multiple popular brands efficiently, backed by investors like Temasek, Coatue, and Evolvence, positions it as a major player poised for a successful public market debut.
In essence, Rebel Foods’ elevation of Ankush Grover to global CEO signals a pivotal moment for the company, combining visionary leadership with operational discipline to scale India’s cloud kitchen success story on a global platform. With a keen eye on innovation, efficiency, and expansion, Rebel Foods is set to continue reshaping how consumers experience food delivery worldwide.