Grubhub Layoff Tracker Aids Recruiters

Irvin Thevaranjan, formerly head of governance risk and controls at Grubhub, initiated a professional network following the delivery service's February 2025 layoffs. Thevaranjan, who received a positive performance review the day before his termination, compiled a list of displaced colleagues to facilitate their re-employment. This initiative, known as the Ex-Grubhub Talent Network, now includes 326 former employees seeking new roles, with the majority having secured new positions according to internal tracking data.

The network operates through a public tracker and a private Slack workspace where former employees share job leads and professional advice. Thevaranjan leveraged his background in auditing to structure the database, tagging company executives on social media during what he terms the 'empathy window' to gain visibility. This strategy attracted both displaced workers and external recruiters looking for specialized talent from Grubhub’s former workforce.

Recruiters Leverage Structured Talent Pools

Hiring managers are increasingly utilizing the network to identify candidates with specific corporate backgrounds. Katie Cavote, a former Grubhub recruiter who advised Thevaranjan on optimizing the tracker for external use, noted that recruiters often search for talent from specific companies. The database sorts candidates by specialty, allowing hiring teams to efficiently filter for required skills without navigating general job boards.

C.J. Cross, a former workforce analytics employee at Grubhub, exemplifies this utility. Cross joined Uber in the summer of 2025 via a referral from the network. When Uber executed its own workforce reductions earlier this month, Cross immediately rejoined the Grubhub community to access the same sourcing channels. This cycle highlights the network's role as a persistent talent pool rather than a one-time aid.

Grassroots Support Replaces Corporate Resources

The network fills a gap in post-layoff support that typically fades as corporate group chats become inactive. While many tech workers rely on personal connections or brief peer support, Thevaranjan’s platform provides sustained professional engagement. Former employees report that the immediate sense of support during the transition period is as critical as the eventual job placement, a sentiment shared by network members who value the structured community.

Model Inspired By Industry Precedents

Thevaranjan cited Kristen Ubaldi, former chief people officer at Groupon, as an inspiration for the initiative. Ubaldi created a similar list and promoted it with executive support after Groupon’s 2020 layoffs. Thevaranjan adapted this approach for Grubhub, focusing on a transparent tracker that showcases employee experience to potential employers. This model has since become a reference point for how displaced employees can collectively manage their career transitions in the tech sector.