How to Start and Succeed with a Ghost Restaurant: Insights from Sling by Toast

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[ Starting a Ghost Restaurant: A Complete Guide

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Want an Affordable First Step into the Food Service Industry?

Looking to expand your brick-and-mortar location without going into debt? Try starting a ghost restaurant. In this guide, the restaurant management experts at Sling provide you with all the information you need to start a virtual restaurant and guide it to success.

What is a Ghost Restaurant?

A ghost restaurant (also known as a virtual restaurant, delivery-only restaurant, online-only restaurant, or dark kitchen) is a food-service business that serves customers exclusively through phone orders or online orders. Unlike traditional restaurants, a ghost kitchen does not have a storefront, decor, or a dining room. All you need is a kitchen and delivery drivers.

How Ghost Restaurants Operate

Customers place orders via a web or mobile application.
The kitchen staff prepares the food upon receiving the order.
A delivery driver then transports the meal to the specified location.
Post-delivery, the mobile app processes the transaction and releases funds to your business.

Benefits of Owning a Ghost Restaurant

Lower Overhead: No need for an expensive dining room, store frontage, or elaborate decor.
Less Risk: Reduced expenses make it less risky compared to traditional restaurants.
Simpler New-Market Testing: Easy to test new markets from a central location.
Lower Dependency on Table Turnover: Profits are not tied to the turnover rate.
Fewer Staff Members: Only kitchen staff are needed, significantly reducing labor costs.

Tips for Running a Successful Ghost Restaurant

Consider Kitchen Sharing

Sharing a kitchen with other delivery-only restaurants can keep costs low while getting started.

Don't Skimp on Layout or Equipment

A well-designed kitchen and professional equipment can significantly improve team productivity and food quality, thereby affecting the success of your business.

Factor Delivery Costs into Your Prices

Ensure that delivery costs are included in your food prices to maintain a healthy profit margin.

Market Your Ghost Restaurant Just Like a Regular Restaurant

Utilize SEO, social media, and traditional marketing channels to gain exposure and attract more customers.

Effective Scheduling is Essential for Success

Even as a ghost restaurant, organizing your team and keeping them on-task is crucial for success. Sling by Toast provides powerful and intuitive scheduling features along with a host of tools to optimize business operations.