Heyyy, Let's Dish!
Strategies for Launching a Thriving Ghost Kitchen Business:
Ever pondered setting up a delivery-only restaurant? The ongoing boom in takeout culture provides thriving opportunities for entrepreneurs and existing eateries alike.
*61% of Americans* regularly order takeout, fueling the growth of this market in the U.S., even during the pandemic[1]. This post breaks down 5 recommendations to launch a successful delivery-only restaurant.
What's The Deal With Delivery-Only Biz?
Curious abbreviations like 'delivery-only restaurant', 'ghost kitchen', and 'virtual kitchen' are swirling around the food industry. Let's breakdown what they entail and how they stack against typical eateries.
These terms are interchangeable, depending on the kitchen's rental status or ownership. A delivery-only restaurant serves customers entirely through delivery or takeout orders, devoid of a traditional dine-in area[2].
They operate from standalone commercial kitchens and usually join forces with delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub to get the food delivered[2][3][4].
The food delivery market is projected to explode, reaching a whopping $365 billion by 2030, ten times more than today[4]. So, stepping into this space promises bangin' potential if you're ready to make moves!
Perks of Running a Delivery-Only Restaurant
Delivery-only restaurants offer tantalizing advantages that have attracted numerous entrepreneurs:
- Got the dough? Not necessarily. - They don't require hefty investments in physical spaces, so menu items can be more affordably priced.
- Operate swiftly. - Focusing on food prepping and delivery logistics means streamlined operations and speedy service[2][5].
- Unleash creativity. - With lower overhead costs, these restaurants can experiment readily, catering to various demographics and utilizing social media for marketing purposes[2].
- Malleable menu and hours. - They can adjust their offerings and operating hours based on customer demands, enabling greater flexibility in comparison to traditional restaurants[2].
- Lower startup and ongoing costs. - By hiring a commercial kitchen instead of investing in buildings and long-term leases, they can significantly decrease their initial costs and operational expenses[2].
- Far-reaching clientele. - Their partnerships with food delivery platforms can expose them to broader audiences, augmenting sales and profitability[2].
Want to set up a buzzing delivery-only joint?
Keys to Establishing a Delivery-Only Restaurant
Are you all hyped up for this journey? With the guidance of Orderable, we'll offer five tips to kickstart your venture on the right foot.
Step 1: Find a Swanky Online Ordering System
The online ordering system is the cornerstone of your delivery-only restaurant. With the correct system, you'll enhance customer satisfaction, simplify internal processes, expand your reach, and discover fantastic marketing opportunities[6].
But what's an online ordering system? In essence, it allows customers to effortlessly order their grub online[6]. For a seamless customer experience and complete management of your business through your website, we recommend WordPress and WooCommerce[6].
Step 2: Spruce Up Delivery Services, Locales, and Fees
You can benefit significantly from establishing customizable delivery services, delivery zones, and fees. This could mean the difference between a solid profit margin and a drain on your finances[7].
Step 3: Implement Order Notifications
Staying connected with customers about their orders is paramount. Providing updates about their orders' progress enriches their experience and boosts retention and loyalty[8]. Thankfully, you can quickly set up order notifications through Orderable[8].
Step 4: Spotlight Dietary Product Labels
Catering to various customer needs is crucial for a delivery-only restaurant, particularly when it comes to dietary preferences. Highlighting product labels like vegan, gluten-free, and low-sodium options on your menu allows more customers to discover your offerings[9].
Step 5: Include Checkout Tipping
Offering the option to tip at checkout can increase your restaurant's average order value and uplift your profits. Plus, it provides an easy avenue for customers to appreciate your wonderful service[10].
- The rise of delivery-only restaurants has been driven by 61% of Americans regularly ordering takeout, contributing to the market's growth even during the pandemic.
- Delivery-only restaurants, also known as ghost or virtual kitchens, operate without a traditional dine-in area and use delivery apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub to deliver food.
- The food delivery market is projected to reach $365 billion by 2030, offering significant potential for businesses that are ready to capitalize on this trend.
- Running a delivery-only restaurant provides advantages such as lower startup and ongoing costs, streamlined operations, and the ability to cater to diverse demographics and marketing opportunities.
- To set up a successful delivery-only restaurant, it's essential to have a robust online ordering system, like WordPress and WooCommerce, and consider customizable delivery services, delivery zones, and fees.
- By implementing order notifications, highlighting dietary product labels, and offering checkout tipping, a delivery-only restaurant can enhance the customer experience, increase sales, and uplift profitability.
