Eternal, formerly Zomato, delivered a strong Q3 FY26 performance, underlining how higher brand investment, operational discipline, and scale are starting to reinforce each other. The company’s advertising spends surged 80% year-on-year to ₹937 crore, a bold move that coincided with a 72.9% YoY jump in profit to ₹102 crore.
At a time when many digital-first platforms are tightening marketing budgets, Eternal has leaned into visibility and demand creation. The results suggest that this spend is not just driving top-line momentum, but also improving unit economics across key verticals. Food delivery, the company’s core business, staged a clear rebound with 16.6% YoY growth in net order value, signalling renewed consumer engagement and better order density.
One of the most notable developments this quarter was the performance of quick commerce and Hyperpure, both of which achieved Adjusted EBITDA profitability. This marks an important inflection point. Quick commerce, often criticised for its high cash burn, is beginning to show signs of sustainability as scale, routing efficiency, and repeat usage improve. Hyperpure’s progress further strengthens Eternal’s position in the restaurant supply chain, adding resilience beyond consumer-facing delivery.
The combination of rising profits and higher ad spends points to a broader strategic shift. Eternal appears to be moving from a phase of cautious optimisation to confident scaling, where marketing is used as a lever to compound gains rather than merely defend market share. Improved efficiency, tighter cost controls, and stronger execution are allowing the company to invest aggressively without eroding margins.
For marketers and digital leaders, Eternal’s Q3 offers a clear takeaway: when scale and efficiency align, marketing spend becomes an accelerator, not a liability. As competition intensifies across food delivery and quick commerce, Eternal’s ability to convert brand investment into profitable growth could define its next chapter.
