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Cloud-kitchen major Rebel Foods has announced a significant leadership reshuffle, appointing co-founder Ankush Grover as its new global chief executive officer, effective immediately. Grover, who previously served as CEO of the India business and oversaw operations in the MENA region, succeeds co-founder Jaydeep Barman, who will transition into the role of chairman to focus on long-term strategic initiatives.
Speaking with Franchise India, a Rebel Foods spokesperson said, Grover will now lead all core functions—including technology, finance, marketing, and HR—as Rebel Foods looks to strengthen its international footprint. “Ankush has played a pivotal role in building Rebel from the ground up. In his expanded role, he will steer the company’s next phase of growth with a focus on global scale and operational excellence. Jaydeep Barman will transition into the role of Chairman and Group CEO, overseeing Rebel Foods as well as our broader portfolio of investee companies. He will continue to mentor the leadership team and drive long-term strategic direction for the Group. This evolution marks a significant milestone in Rebel’s journey, as we strengthen our leadership to power the company’s next phase of growth across geographies and categories.”
Founded in 2011 by Barman and Kallol Banerjee, Rebel Foods operates a portfolio of popular cloud kitchen brands such as Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, Oven Story Pizza, Lunchbox, The Good Bowl, Sweet Truth, and the India franchise of Wendy’s. The leadership change comes amid the company’s rapid global expansion, particularly through brand licensing and partnerships in markets like the UAE and the UK.
Rebel Foods, which reached unicorn status in 2021 following a $175 million funding round led by Qatar Investment Authority, closed a $210 million Series G round in December 2023, led by Temasek and Evolvence. The round also allowed partial exits for some early investors.
The company currently operates over 450 cloud kitchens across 70+ Indian cities and has been expanding its global presence to tap into the rising demand for digitally native food brands. Financially, Rebel Foods reported a 42% reduction in losses in FY24, bringing them down to ₹378 crore from ₹657 crore in FY23. Revenue grew 19% year-on-year to ₹1,420 crore in FY24.
With Grover now leading as global CEO, Rebel Foods is expected to sharpen its focus on profitability, operational efficiency, and brand visibility across both domestic and international markets.
