Nevzat Aydin: Turkish CEO Shares $27 Million To His Employees After Selling Company

Employees at Yemeksepeti, a Turkish online food ordering company, may think that they have the best boss ever. That is because founder and CEO Nevzat Aydin shared $27 million to his employees after selling the firm for $589M.

In May, Aydin sold his company to Germany’s Delivery Hero. The $27 million was divided among 114 of Aydin’s employees, giving them about 150 times the average wage they get from working at Yemeksepeti. According to Business Insider, employees earn somewhere between $1,000 to $2,000 monthly, and the $27 million bonus puts them at $237,000. The bonus was given to employees who have worked at Yemeksepeti for at least two years.

What’s the reason behind Aydin sharing the wealth? According to the CEO, it’s better to share the success with people who help you become successful.

“I believe in team work and I believe success is much more enjoyable and glorious when shared with the rest of the team.”

TIME reports that the $27 million amount was calculated based on different factors. A spokesperson for Delivery Hero explained that they took into consideration the contribution employees gave in the business’ success, the length of time they worked for the company, and the potential for growth in the future.

“The success of companies like Delivery Hero and Yemeksepeti is based on amazing company cultures where tremendous people always walk the extra mile.”

Yemeksepeti was started by the CEO 15 years ago and now, the company has grown to 370 employees who work hard to provide more than 3 million meals monthly.

One of the recipients of the bonus, Nedim Nahmias, shared his reaction to CNN Money when he learned of the amount that he was going to receive.

“The conversation became very emotional for both of us. This bonus package is life changing to many of us.”

Nahmias began working for Yemeksepeti 10 years ago. His job back then was call center operator. Now, Nahmias is a chief operating officer at the company.

Before the company was sold, the $27 million bonus to be given to the employees was already settled by the two parties, and both thought that it was a good idea. Delivery Hero’s spokesperson also stated that they have done this in the past, and will be continuing to do this in the future. Though Aydin has sold his company, he will still be part of the company’s success as he is now a part of the Delivery Hero’s executive board.

Aydin isn’t the only CEO sharing the love to his employees. According to an earlier report by the Inquisitr, Virgin Group founder and CEO Richard Branson has recently given his employees the benefit of up to 12 months of paternity leave with full pay. Read more about that story here.

[Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images]