What's New with Ghost Kitchens?

1. Will Inspire's 'Alliance Kitchen' Start a Ghost Kitchen Movement?

In fall 2021, Inspire Brands lifted the lid on a ghost concept unlike any other.

The company’s “Alliance Kitchen” marked the first dark kitchen owned and operated by a multi-brand restaurant company.

Nestled in Inspire’s Atlanta backyard, it features food from each of the group’s restaurants—except for Dunkin’.

So customers could order through Arby's ’s, Buffalo Wild Wings ’, Jimmy John's ’s, SONIC Drive-In ’s, and Rusty Taco ’s respective online ordering platforms, or via third-party apps.

So how multi-brand benefits translate into the ghost space will be one of 2023’s more intriguing stories.

And Inspire’s category-busting creation might just be a clear view of what’s to come.

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2. The year of MrBeast, old timey LTOs and Italian beef sandwiches

In the chain restaurant world, there was perhaps no greater celebrity than MrBeast. His real name is Jimmy Donaldson, but his YouTube persona was the inspiration for a virtual burger brand that launched in 2021.

In 2022, MrBeast Burger became a brick-and-mortar concept in New Jersey.

That move followed the announcement that the virtual brand had reached 1,700 outlets by midyear, raking in an estimated $100 million in revenue.

MrBeast Burger wasn’t the only social media star to go brick-and-mortar.

Dylan Lemay , another social media star, also opened an ice cream shop in New York City called Catch'N Ice Cream from Dylan Lemay , where scoops are tossed in the air for customers to catch.

YouTuber David Dobrik opened a pizza parlor in Los Angeles.

People over 25 may have no idea who these influencers are, but that doesn’t seem to matter.

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3. SPONSORED - GHOST KITCHEN BRANDS, NOW FRANCHISING

The GKB QSR model is a menu of international branded foods. 

Unlike other ghost kitchen business, GKB is designed for both pickup and delivery, as well as dine-in.

There is also a unique opportunity for you. 

Is your dream territory available?

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4. How Restaurants Can Keep Up With Billion-Dollar Brands

Wow Bao recently launched the industry’s first virtual dining rewards program.

The company made yet another announcement that they are venturing into the world of Web3.

The company’s Web3 strategy includes accessible NFTs (non-fungible tokens) to unlock virtual vending machines in the metaverse as well as real-life vending.

Real-life vending via automated kiosks is also on the brand’s menu.

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5. Automated sushi chefs reduce waste & save costs in Japan.

Automation was key for the financial health of the business as the industry struggled to survive the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nowadays, kaiten-sushi restaurants have adopted more efficient conveyor belts as well as sensors that analyze trends in orders, detect peak times in venues and help streamline production.

After 20 years in the business, Sushiro, the country’s largest sushi chain, has moved robots into its kitchens to prepare the rice for the sushi pieces.

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