Zomato. A name that became synonymous with food delivery in India, a brand that carved its own place in our lives and our phones. Whether it was to track down the nearest biryani joint or to check out reviews for a new café, Zomato was the go-to app for millions. But now, in a move that has caught everyone by surprise (and not necessarily in a bad way).
Zomato is shedding its familiar skin and renaming itself as Eternal.
Bold? Absolutely. Risky? You bet. But this change could either usher in a new era of innovation or serve as a cautionary tale of how even the boldest visions can come crumbling down.
The Power of a Name: Why Zomato Became Eternal
To understand the magnitude of this shift, let’s start by acknowledging the sheer audacity behind it. Zomato’s rebranding to Eternal is more than just a cosmetic change. It’s a signal—a vision of where the company sees itself in the coming years. Deepinder Goyal, the brain behind Zomato, said that the name “Eternal” scared him to his core, and perhaps that’s exactly why it works. Eternal isn’t just a name. It’s a challenge. It’s the company’s way of positioning itself as a disruptor, not just in food delivery but potentially in other areas of life. The name represents longevity, the idea of something enduring—something that doesn’t fade away with time.
But while Eternal may sound like a grand vision, it’s not without its challenges. Because, let’s face it: nothing is truly eternal. We live in a fast-moving world where consumer trends and technologies evolve rapidly. Today’s revolutionary company can be tomorrow’s forgotten relic. Remember Kodak? Blockbuster? Blackberry? Great companies, gone in the blink of an eye. Eternal is a name that feels weighty—almost like a self-imposed prophecy. But can Zomato, now Eternal, live up to the pressure?
A Vision That’s Scary and Yet Inspiring
There’s something thrilling about the concept of Eternal. It represents a dream, a drive to create something so impactful that it leaves a lasting imprint. Eternal is ambitious. Eternal is bold. Eternal is… terrifying. And that’s exactly what makes it so captivating.
For a company that has already enjoyed considerable success in the food delivery business, it makes sense to think bigger. Zomato’s journey has been one of remarkable growth, with annual growth rates ranging between 60% and 80%. To be honest, that kind of performance with zero cash burn is not something you see every day. Zomato has kept its operations remarkably lean, making profits while others in the sector burn cash like it’s going out of style. So, yes, the name change could reflect an effort to break free from the food delivery model and embrace something grander, something more… eternal.
But as inspiring as the name is, it also reflects a sense of existential risk. Let’s take a minute to step back and understand what this rebrand really means. Eternal implies something timeless, but in the world of business, nothing is truly everlasting. We live in an age where disruption is constant, and markets are always in flux. This name change feels like a calculated gamble—one that, if successful, could place Zomato at the forefront of future trends. But what if it doesn’t work? What if the world doesn’t embrace Eternal the way they embraced Zomato? What if this rebranding ends up being more of a corporate misstep than a groundbreaking move?
What’s in a Name? Everything, Apparently
Now, for those of you thinking, “What’s in a name, really?”—the answer is: everything. We live in a world where language shapes perception. The right name can transform a company from being a small player to a household name, and the wrong name can lead to disaster. Take Eternal, for example. The name exudes confidence, timelessness, and permanence, all qualities that any business would love to convey. But let’s not forget that names carry immense weight in how companies are perceived by consumers and investors alike.
Zomato, for all its fame, was still very much a food delivery app—a digital solution to a specific problem. It worked because it was direct, efficient, and simple. It made sense. Eternal, on the other hand, is far more abstract. What does it mean? What does it stand for? Will it still be about food delivery? Or is this a whole new business direction? Or is it both? The vagueness of the name opens up a lot of questions, and not all of them are necessarily good ones.
Eternal’s Future: A Shifting Landscape
So, let’s break down how this could play out. In theory, Eternal can grow beyond food delivery. It could pivot to becoming a platform that encompasses everything from logistics to cloud kitchens to AI-driven personalized food experiences. The sky’s the limit, really. If Eternal can continue its trajectory of growth, there’s potential for the company to redefine not just its sector but how we perceive convenience, tech, and lifestyle integration.
The market is ripe for disruption. Think of the likes of Zepto, Instamart, and Flipkart, all battling it out in the quick-commerce space. While these competitors engage in aggressive discounting strategies and large-scale capital expenditure, Eternal could be the steady, cash-flow-positive player that sticks to its guns, maintains a lean operation, and focuses on long-term growth rather than short-term profits. If Eternal can survive the next 18 months without burning cash, it could emerge as a dominant force, attracting a new set of investors and earning a serious re-rating.
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But then, let’s face reality for a second—disruptive companies are like a double-edged sword. They either skyrocket to success or plummet to zero. Rarely do they find a comfortable middle ground. The stakes are high, and the pressure on Eternal is palpable. If the company doesn’t meet its financial and operational goals, or if the new name and vision flop, then they might just find themselves in the same boat as countless others who bet too much on a brand-new strategy and lost everything.
A Market of Two: Will Eternal Become the Leader?
Look at the way most markets evolve. Take ride-sharing, FMCG, or even airlines. In the end, most markets settle with just two major players. One will lead with a 65% market share, while the second player holds around 30%. The remaining 5% is shared by a mix of small players, including startups, who keep fighting for scraps.
In the case of Eternal, that “second player” could be Zomato, or it could be a new contender. If the quick-commerce space continues to grow, this sector will eventually clean up, and market share will consolidate around the larger players. In this world, Eternal must not only prove it can stand the test of time—it must prove that it can outlast the competition.
As of now, Eternal is in a unique position. The company has managed to stay cash-flow positive, a feat that seems near impossible for many of its competitors, especially those investing heavily in dark stores and marketing discounts. If Eternal can continue on its steady path, avoiding the pitfalls of over-expansion and unchecked spending, there’s a solid chance that they will rise to the top.
The Bottom Line: Bold Step or Corporate Suicide?
In the end, Eternal represents something bigger than just a name change. It’s a statement—a dare to the world. Will this bold vision make or break the company? Only time will tell. But what’s clear is that Eternal is either going to disrupt the market or become another cautionary tale. In the fast-paced world of business, where change happens overnight, it’s hard to predict what the future holds for this bold rebranding. Will it be the name that leads to infinity—or the one that falls into oblivion?
And therein lies the risk. The power of a name can either lift a company to new heights or bury it under the weight of expectations. If Eternal succeeds, it will rewrite the rules of how brands evolve. If it doesn’t, well, let’s just say Zomato will have to make a whole new name for itself. Again.
