{"id":9425,"date":"2024-07-31T21:20:16","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T21:20:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/virtual-restaurant\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T12:25:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T19:25:51","slug":"virtual-restaurant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/virtual-restaurant\/","title":{"rendered":"The 3 Best Virtual Restaurants &#038; How They Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Digital-first, convenience-packed dining options have been on the rise since the <em>unprecedented times<\/em> of years past.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Online meal delivery has grown by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/outlook\/emo\/online-food-delivery\/united-states#revenue\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>~150% since 2021<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of <a href=\"\/blog\/best-restaurant-apps\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>popular QSR app<\/span><\/a> users has reached the billions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"\/blog\/restaurant-ai-partnerships\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>AI partnerships<\/span><\/a> and automations are becoming increasingly common.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And now, virtual restaurants are joining the mix, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantdive.com\/news\/how-the-pandemic-accelerated-the-us-ghost-kitchen-market-5-years-in-3-mont\/585604\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>decade-old digital concept<\/span><\/a> that\u2019s been making a major comeback over the past few years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this blog, we\u2019ll take you through everything you need to know about virtual restaurants, from the good they can do for you and your restaurant to gold-star examples you\u2019ll want to check out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t worry \u2014 we\u2019ll start by answering the simplest question first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>What <\/em>is<em> a virtual restaurant?&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What a Virtual Restaurant Is (And Is Not)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A virtual restaurant is an online, delivery-only business that operates out of an existing restaurant&#8217;s brick-and-mortar location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Virtual restaurants are a sort of \u201crestaurant-within-a-restaurant\u201d situation; two restaurant brands exist independently, but share the same kitchen, staff, equipment, ingredients, and resources.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The virtual restaurant would also accept orders exclusively online through third-party delivery apps or the restaurant\u2019s own web platform or mobile app.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a (very simple) example of what that looks like \u201cin action:\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Restaurant A has a physical location selling burgers and fries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The owner wants to sell fried chicken but doesn\u2019t want another building to manage. So, she opens an online, delivery-only chicken business called Restaurant B.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Since the owner already has Restaurant A \u2014 an existing building with a full kitchen and staff \u2014 she decides that Restaurant B\u2019s food can be prepared here, too.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Now, the owner can serve in-house diners at Restaurant A\u2019s physical location and online diners through Restaurant B\u2019s delivery services, all under Restaurant A\u2019s roof.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Now\u2026 let\u2019s clear up what a virtual restaurant is <em>not<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>A virtual restaurant is not a ghost kitchen.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Ghost-Kitchens-vs-Virtual-Restaurants-Pie-Chart.png\" alt=\"Ghost Kitchens vs Virtual Restaurants Pie Chart\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A ghost kitchen \u2014 sometimes called a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurant365.com\/blog\/should-your-restaurant-group-have-a-commissary-kitchen\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>commissary kitchen<\/span><\/a> \u2014 is a rentable commercial kitchen space. Any brand can rent out a ghost kitchen, whether they\u2019re online and delivery-only or they have a physical location but need more space for an event or expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like virtual restaurants, ghost kitchens also accept orders online through third-party delivery apps or the restaurant\u2019s own web platform or mobile app.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"separators-custom-box  \"  style='background-color: #fff8f1;'>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_title\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#000000;'\t\t\t>Our Online Ordering Guide makes choosing which systems and platforms suits you best.<\/div>\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Download\"\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, rgb(217,58,1), rgb(239,100,16));\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#ffffff;'\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tGet Your Copy!\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Benefits and Challenges of Virtual Restaurants&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From <a href=\"\/blog\/relay-delivery\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>deciding on a delivery platform<\/span><\/a> to <a href=\"\/blog\/dynamic-pricing-in-restaurants\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>testing out dynamic pricing<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll find pros and cons with every new restaurant innovation\u2026 and virtual restaurants are no exception.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few major benefits and challenges of opening a virtual restaurant to help you decide whether they\u2019re an innovation worth exploring (or ignoring).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Virtual restaurants have fewer\/lower upfront costs.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Opening a virtual restaurant has fewer upfront costs than a traditional one. Take rent, for example. The average restaurant\u2019s rent sits at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantowner.com\/public\/Survey-Restaurant-Occupancy-Cost.cfm\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>$6,914\/month<\/span><\/a>, meaning a second physical location would add <em>at least<\/em> that amount to your monthly bills. But, with a virtual restaurant, you capitalize on the rent you\u2019re already paying, while <em>also<\/em> saving yourself double payments on staff, ingredients, appliances, and other high-value costs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Virtual restaurants can increase your audience (and sales).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Virtual restaurants can bolster sales from your brick-and-mortar restaurant by adding a second, highly diverse revenue stream to your business. There are a lot ways a virtual restaurant can expand your audience and revenue, from brand-new dayparts to new audience segments. And, according to Uber, those efforts can really pay off \u2014 restaurants have seen sales <a href=\"https:\/\/help.uber.com\/en\/merchants-and-restaurants\/article\/why-launch-a-virtual-restaurant?nodeId=6d119420-5f56-41bb-86a8-e721433c3b26\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>increase by 45%<\/span><\/a> after adding a virtual restaurant!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Virtual restaurants empower your brand to get innovative.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When asked how QSRs can increase sales, Sujeet Naik from Coresight Research suggested \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.modernretail.co\/marketing\/fast-food-chains-like-mcdonalds-wendys-are-locked-in-a-price-war\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>[introducing] new menu items<\/span><\/a>\u201d regularly. But in reality, menu innovation can be hard for brick-and-mortar restaurants with an established, well-liked identity. This is where virtual restaurants get extra exciting because they allow you to get creative and think outside the box. As long as your kitchen staff can make the items, then the world (or the menu) is your oyster.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Challenges<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Virtual restaurants mean splitting attention\/efforts in two.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>When you open a second, virtual restaurant, your costs might not double\u2026 but your efforts will need to. As the owner, you\u2019ll need to find a sustainable way to divide your focus between both restaurants, ensuring quality stays top-notch at both restaurants. Remember that your staff has to perform the same juggling act too, finding a way to balance different dishes, delivery vs. dine-in, and unique audience needs\u2026 all while maintaining quality and quantity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Virtual restaurants can increase staff workload and training.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While virtual restaurants don\u2019t require as many new staff as traditional restaurants, they <em>will<\/em> require a shift in staff demand. You\u2019ll need to train your staff on a whole new range of tasks, from navigating online orders\/delivery and prepping new menu items to prioritizing in-house vs. online orders and handling customer service. And, if online demand exceeds your current staffing capabilities, you may have to hire more people regardless.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Virtual restaurants require mastering the delivery model.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Considering <a href=\"https:\/\/gitnux.org\/online-food-ordering-statistics\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>43% of restaurant professionals<\/span><\/a> already offer delivery services, getting used to a new delivery model won\u2019t be a huge learning curve. But, if you\u2019re part of the 57% that <em>don\u2019t<\/em> offer delivery (or if your delivery system is super outdated), then you\u2019ll have to figure out how to master delivery before you move on to virtual restaurants\u2026 something that takes time, effort, <em>and<\/em> funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"separators-custom-box  \"  style='background-color: #fff8f1;'>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_title\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#000000;'\t\t\t>You can&#8217;t go virtual without an online ordering platform. Our guide has everything you need to know.\u00a0<\/div>\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#Download\"\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, rgb(217,58,1), rgb(239,100,16));\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#ffffff;'\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tGet Your Copy!\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 3 Best Virtual Restaurants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At this point, you know the pros and cons of virtual restaurants\u2026 on paper. But what does a successful virtual restaurant look like in \u201creal life?\u201d Here are three examples of virtual restaurants done <em>right<\/em> (to keep in your back pocket as inspiration).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1 \u2014 Chili\u2019s: It\u2019s Just Wings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantbusinessonline.com\/marketing\/chilis-parent-gets-wings-delivery-business\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>June 2020<\/span><\/a>, Chili\u2019s parent company Brinker International revealed a new virtual chicken restaurant: It\u2019s Just Wings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Chili\u2019s is loved for its Big Mouth Burgers\u00ae and Baby Back Ribs, It\u2019s Just Wings pares down its massive menu to\u2026 well\u2026 <em>just wings. <\/em>But, this hyper-focused menu meant that the virtual wing restaurant took virtually nothing to get going.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c[W]e had to buy a couple of small refrigerators in a couple of restaurants, but for the sales volume that it generates, it\u2019s really capital-free,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantbusinessonline.com\/marketing\/chilis-parent-gets-wings-delivery-business\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>said Wyman Roberts, Brinker\u2019s Chief Executive<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe get to leverage the equipment we already have. And things like our combi, which is a great piece of equipment that allows us to smoke our ribs, now also allows us to smoke wings and offer a differentiated product from a lot of people in the category.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Its-Just-Wings-x-Chilis.png\" alt=\"Its Just Wings Mobile App and Chili's Shopfront\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2 &amp; 3 \u2014 Denny\u2019s: The Burger Den &amp; The Melt Down&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantdive.com\/news\/dennys-launches-2-virtual-brands\/593173\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>January 2021<\/span><\/a>, Denny\u2019s announced they\u2019d launch two new virtual restaurants later that year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The chain\u2019s first virtual restaurant \u2014 The Burger Den \u2014 was designed exclusively for the restaurant \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantdive.com\/news\/dennys-launches-2-virtual-brands\/593173\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>to focus on its burgers and test new varieties<\/span><\/a>,\u201d said Denny\u2019s CEO John Miller. The second virtual restaurant \u2014 The Meltdown \u2014 is all about the sandwiches, with Miller saying the focus is \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantdive.com\/news\/dennys-launches-2-virtual-brands\/593173\/\"><span>handcrafted sandwiches with fresh ingredients<\/span><\/a>.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The nice thing about both of these virtual restaurants is that the menu life was virtually non-existent. No new ingredients were required for any of The Burger Den\u2019s menu items, and \u201cartisan bread\u201d was the only new addition for The Meltdown.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, according to Sharon Lykins, Denny\u2019s VP of Product Innovation, the simplicity of the integration comes down to one, simple concept: stay in your lane.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re going to stay into things that we know we can deliver well,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.restaurantdive.com\/news\/dennys-virtual-brands-appeal-gen-z-fuel-off-premise-sales\/715112\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><span>said Lykins<\/span><\/a>. \u201c[It] just so happens that those things are what people are looking for in delivery.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Starting a Virtual Restaurant? Craver Can Help.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether you\u2019re inspired by the niche of It\u2019s Just Wings or the experimentation possibilities of The Burger Den, both virtual restaurants have one thing in common:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Top-shelf online ordering capabilities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cdelivery-only\u201d aspect of virtual restaurants means that a strong mobile app and intuitive web ordering platform become must-haves\u2026 and that gives you a unique opportunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of juggling in-person <em>and<\/em> online ordering options, virtual restaurants allow you to focus on creating the <em>absolute best<\/em> delivery experience your customers have ever seen.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And Craver can help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a custom-branded Craver app or web ordering platform, your customers can enjoy sleek, easy-to-use interfaces while you take advantage of our exclusive benefits. Working with Craver for online ordering and delivery means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Commission-free deliveries using the DoorDash, UberEats, and Relay delivery network&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loyalty and rewards programs that incentivize your regulars to come back again (and bring their friends)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A 20% increase in average order value with automated and personalized upsells, recommendations, add-ons, and modifiers&nbsp;<a id=\"Download-Online-Ordering-Guide\" data-hs-anchor=\"true\"><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"separators-custom-box  \"  style='background-color: #fff8f1;'>\n\n\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"cta_title\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#000000;'\t\t\t>The success of your virtual restaurant is only as good as your online ordering system. Make sure yours is the best of the best with Craver.<\/div>\n\t\t\n        \n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/book-a-demo\/\"\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tstyle=\"background-image: linear-gradient(to left, rgb(217,58,1), rgb(239,100,16));\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"\"\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"\" \n\t\t\tstyle='color:#ffffff;'\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\tBook A Demo\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"m-form  gb\"  style='--columns-ratio: 50%;'>\n\n\t\t<a id=\"Download\"><\/a>\n\t\n\t    \n    <div class=\"m-form__container container\" style=\"\">\n\n        <div class=\"l-form l-form-v3 order-default\">\n\n            <div class=\"l-form__col l-form__form\">\n\t\t        \n\n\t<div class=\"c-form\">\n\t\t<div class=\"c-form__embed\">\n\t\t\t                <div id=\"hubspot-form-1\" class=\"c-contact hubspot-form\">\n                    <script>\n                        document.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\", function() {\n                            if (typeof hbspt !== 'undefined' && hbspt.forms) {\n\n                                hbspt.forms.create({\n                                    portalId: \"4732366\", \/\/ this is your portal id\n                                    formId: \"9511e2c4-908a-40c8-bfa6-d87fd5c78177\", \/\/ this is the form id\n                                    target: \"#hubspot-form-1\",\n                                    css: \"\",\n                                    cssClass: \"single-resources-form\",\n                                });\n\n                            } else {\n                                console.error(\"HubSpot script not loaded.\");\n                            }\n                        });\n                    <\/script>\n                                    <\/div>\n                \t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Digital-first, convenience-packed dining options have been on the rise since the unprecedented times of years past.&nbsp; Online meal delivery has grown by ~150% since 2021. The number of popular QSR app users has reached the billions.&nbsp; AI partnerships and automations are becoming increasingly common.&nbsp; And now, virtual restaurants are joining the mix, a decade-old digital&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":9429,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[13,20],"class_list":["post-9425","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The 3 Best Virtual Restaurants &amp; How They Work<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here&#039;s how places like Chili&#039;s and Denny&#039;s are using virtual restaurants to expand their reach without opening new kitchens\u2014and how you can do it too.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/virtual-restaurant\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The 3 Best Virtual Restaurants &amp; How They Work\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Here&#039;s how places like Chili&#039;s and Denny&#039;s are using virtual restaurants to expand their reach without opening new kitchens\u2014and how you can do it too.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/virtual-restaurant\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Craver | Online Ordering Systems for Coffee Shops\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/craverapp\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-07-31T21:20:16+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-26T19:25:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Virtual-Restaurant.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"924\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Melissa Mertsis\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@craver_app_\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@craver_app_\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Melissa Mertsis\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/virtual-restaurant\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/blog\/virtual-restaurant\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Melissa Mertsis\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.getcraver.com\/#\/schema\/person\/438c202bb4adb066914cdd36c21d767d\"},\"headline\":\"The 3 Best Virtual Restaurants &#038; 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