In the competitive world of food delivery, Zomato and Swiggy have long been the dominant players in the Indian market. With millions of customers and a growing reach, the rivalry between these two giants often takes centre stage. But what happens when the Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal meets the Swiggy founders? It’s not what you might expect.
In an intriguing conversation on The Ranveer Show with YouTuber Ranveer Allahabadia, Goyal opened up about the nature of his interactions with Swiggy’s leadership and the surprising lack of business talk during their meetings. Here’s everything you need to know about what happens when these two food delivery leaders meet.
Zomato and Swiggy: A Friendly Rivalry
The food delivery market in India is fiercely competitive, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for mutual respect between rivals. Deepinder Goyal’s relationship with Sriharsha Majety and Naveen Reddy, the co-founders of Swiggy, is a perfect example of how business leaders can maintain professional ties without getting bogged down by direct competition.
When asked about his interactions with the Swiggy team, Goyal revealed that their conversations are driven by friendship, not corporate strategy. “We talk about the future, nice friendly relationship,” Goyal shared. The Zomato CEO made it clear that these meetings are more about long-term innovation than the day-to-day workings of their businesses.
No Business Talk: Just the Future of Food Delivery
In a candid moment, Goyal emphasised that during these meet-ups, there’s no business talk. He explained, “We don’t talk current business – it’s not legal either. I should not get to know their strategy – the competition should remain fair.”
This sentiment highlights a key ethical point in the business world: maintaining fair competition. While it’s tempting for CEOs to discuss each other’s plans, Goyal reaffirmed that their focus is firmly on the future, not on trading confidential business secrets. Instead, the discussions tend to focus on larger, more visionary topics related to the food delivery ecosystem, such as future innovations and potential technological breakthroughs.
For instance, Goyal pointed out that their discussions often revolve around drones and how these might revolutionise food delivery in the next few years. “How will drones work in 5 minutes?” he joked, reflecting the level of excitement these leaders have for futuristic technology.
Zomato CEO’s Thoughts on Swiggy’s CEO Sriharsha Majety
One of the more revealing moments in the conversation came when Allahabadia asked Goyal if he takes inspiration from Swiggy’s CEO, Sriharsha Majety. Goyal responded candidly: “I don’t know about him, but I definitely take inspiration from him.”
This response sheds light on the collaborative spirit that exists between the two companies, despite the rivalry. Even as competitors, there is a level of mutual respect for each other’s leadership and accomplishments in the food delivery space. Goyal acknowledged that while they might not always see eye to eye on every strategy, both companies are ultimately working towards similar goals of improving service and innovation in the industry.
Does Deepinder Goyal Use Swiggy?
When the conversation shifted to a more personal side, Goyal was asked whether he uses Swiggy’s services. His response was straightforward, yet revealing: “Never. Zero. Used experimentally several times but never used like real use.”
This admission raises a few eyebrows. While it’s common for business leaders to try their competitors’ services for research purposes, Goyal’s reluctance to use Swiggy on a regular basis speaks to the inherent rivalry and his loyalty to Zomato. Despite this, it’s clear that Goyal’s decision isn’t rooted in disdain for Swiggy but rather a professional approach to his role as Zomato’s leader.
For Goyal, it’s less about using Swiggy and more about focusing on what makes Zomato stand out in the food delivery market. His decision to stay committed to his own platform is a reflection of his dedication to his company’s growth and the unique value proposition Zomato offers to its customers.
Zomato’s Hiring Practices: The War for Talent
The conversation then shifted to Zomato’s hiring practices, a subject Goyal is particularly passionate about. He explained that Zomato doesn’t just hire anyone looking for a job—it seeks out top-tier talent, often attracting professionals already employed elsewhere.
Goyal shed light on the competitive nature of hiring in the tech and food delivery sectors. Talent poaching is a reality, and Zomato competes fiercely with Swiggy and other tech giants to hire the best and brightest minds. This competitive recruitment landscape plays a critical role in Zomato’s ongoing success, as the company strives to stay ahead of its rivals through innovation and operational excellence.
The Future of Food Delivery: Drones, AI, and More
Throughout the conversation, Goyal and Allahabadia explored the bigger picture: the future of food delivery. With technological advancements occurring at lightning speed, both Zomato and Swiggy are investing heavily in AI, drones, and automation to improve service efficiency and delivery times.
The use of drones in food delivery has been a popular topic among industry experts, and both companies are actively researching the possibility of integrating drones into their operations. According to Goyal, the next frontier in food delivery will involve using AI and drones to reduce delivery times and enhance customer satisfaction.
In addition to drones, Goyal also discussed the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in optimising logistics and predicting demand patterns. AI has already started to transform the way Zomato handles delivery routes, ensuring that food arrives faster and more reliably.
Final Thoughts: A Relationship Built on Respect
What sets Deepinder Goyal’s interactions with Swiggy’s leadership apart is the level of respect both sides have for each other. Despite being fierce competitors in the food delivery market, Goyal’s perspective shows that rivalry does not have to come at the expense of mutual respect. Their conversations focus on shared values like innovation, technology, and future progress, which only serve to strengthen the industry as a whole.
While Zomato and Swiggy continue to compete head-to-head for market dominance, the friendship and collaborative spirit between their leaders offer a refreshing reminder of how business can be done—focusing on long-term success and technological advancements rather than immediate profits.
