Rebel Foods has officially appointed co-founder Ankush Grover as its new Global CEO, a key move as the company strengthens its leadership ahead of a highly anticipated IPO in 2026.
Grover, who has been with Rebel since the early days, will now oversee the company’s global operations — including tech, finance, marketing, and human resources. He replaces Jaydeep Barman, who transitions to the role of Chairman and Group CEO, focusing on long-term strategy and Rebel’s growing portfolio of investments.
Ankush Grover is an alumnus of NIT Jamshedpur and IIT Bombay. Prior to this, he served as CEO of India operations.
Why the Rebel Foods Global CEO Move Matters
Founded in 2011, Rebel Foods has built one of the largest cloud kitchen networks in the world. With over 350 kitchens across 70+ Indian cities, the company runs a portfolio of well-known brands including:
- Faasos
- Behrouz Biryani
- Ovenstory Pizza
- SLAY Coffee
- Wendy’s India
It processes approximately 250,000 orders daily, giving it one of the strongest food-tech footprints in the region.
Grover’s elevation to Rebel Foods Global CEO is seen as a sign of the company tightening operations and preparing for international expansion.
IPO Rumors Heating Up
According to internal sources, Rebel is quietly preparing for a public offering between January and April 2026. Recent strategic moves — like shutting offices in Gurugram and Bengaluru, and consolidating operations in Mumbai — suggest a shift toward leaner, more efficient operations.
The company is also reconsidering its investments in underperforming brands like Smoor, a premium dessert company.
For the fiscal year 2024:
- Revenue rose 19% to ₹1,420.2 crore
- Net loss narrowed 42% to ₹378.2 crore
To date, Rebel has raised $773 million from investors including Temasek, Coatue, Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia India), and Lightbox.
