Operations

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Fazoli's tap ghost kitchens to advance business

Dickey's ghost kitchen. Photo provided.

August 14, 2020

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is launching virtual kitchens as its latest franchise opportunity and plans to open the facilities in Chicago, Houston, Orlando and Providence, Rhode Island.

The virtual kitchen model lets restaurants maximize delivery coverage without the upfront investment required by a traditional brick-and-mortar location.

For Dickey's the ghost kitchen will feature a smoker and warming cabinet, according to a press release. The brand will only need to hire a small team for food delivery and virtual kitchens offer a fast-track franchise opening with a location able to start serving in one month.

"Virtual kitchens are a unique franchising opportunity that gives us a new and innovative way to capitalize on consumer trends at a low cost," Laura Rea Dickey, CEO of Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc., said in the release. "Delivery is a rapidly growing channel in our industry right now, and we believe it will continue to be a preference for guests post-pandemic."

Dickey's is offering a a $5,000 franchisee discount for eligible existing owners, operators and current franchisees.

Fazoli's is also taking advantage of the virtual or ghost kitchen approach and opening a location in Atlanta, according to a press release.

It's delivering its Italian dishes and latest menu offering, deep fried chicken wings with signature sauces, via its first ghost kitchen.

The brand teamed with Impact Hospitality Group and owner Mike Lokhandwala to franchise the kitchen at PREP Atlanta, located at 3781 Presidential Parkway, Ste. #FP301.

This opening not only marks Fazoli's first ghost kitchen space, but its first location in a major metropolitan area. It is the seventh Fazoli's in Georgia and 216th store systemwide.

PREP is an 83,500-square-foot culinary campus that houses multi-functional shared kitchen facilities featuring extensive equipment. Stations are located in an open setting, or in private or flex station. Fazoli's fans in Atlanta can order Italian dishes for delivery, carryout and catering only. Delivery is available through Fazolis.com and 11 third-party delivery partners throughout metro Atlanta.