Rise of ghost kitchens can help restaurants thrive
The rise of ghost kitchens, where people can only order online, is helping some restaurants to survive and thrive.
Ghost restaurants come in two formats: delivery-only restaurant brands that work out of a commercial kitchen space and do not have a brick-and-mortar location open to customers and delivery-only restaurant brands that use an existing brick-and-mortar restaurant’s kitchen to create food for a second brand.
While there has been some concern over “low quality” food, delivery apps such as Doordash has assured customers that no unregulated kitchens are allowed, and they must "maintain appropriate documentation just like any other restaurant concept".
"[This] includes operating in accordance with local health and safety regulations and DoorDash’s standard operating procedures," a spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
The ghost kitchen is a recent trend in Australia.
The new concept has raised the ire of some social media users, with one Redditer saying "Recently, I’ve noticed on both DD and UberEats the rise of low-quality ghost kitchens.
"These have been around for a while but are becoming more popular especially since Covid. I have ordered from a few of them and generally find their food to be a crock of shite."
Other social media users chimed into the conversation with one saying, "Woy Woy [NSW Central Coast] has a few of these where when you check the address and it's the same place. Like 2 or 3 dodgy Burgers / Indian or whatever "restaurants" all served from just a corner shop."
Good ghost kitchens can help build business.
Uber Eats told Yahoo News "We've seen success stories from restaurant partners that have gone on to have online sales on Uber Eats where the virtual brand exceeds their primary restaurant."
DoorDash said, “Restaurants across the country have adopted virtual brands as a way to reach new customers, provide more selection within their neighbourhoods, and grow their revenue cost-effectively."
Diners can discern a ghost kitchen by looking up the address on Google Maps and matching it with a physical restaurant.
Jonathan Jackson, 16th January 2024
