The Peckwater Brands Blog

What is a virtual brand and how do they work?

Written by Joao Marques | Mar 2, 2022 7:30:00 AM

 

The food industry has always been a hub of innovation. Chefs and restaurant owners have long delighted in bringing new concepts, flavours and experiences to diners’ attention.

 

It’s a point of professional pride as well as promoting repeat custom and boosting revenue.

 

Virtual food brands have enjoyed a stratospheric rise over the past few years. They help kitchen owners make their resources go further, increase profits and provide consumers with an amazing array of choice.

 

So, what exactly is a virtual food brand, and how do they work in practice?

 

Here’s your essential introduction…

 

What is a virtual food brand?

 

A virtual food brand is simply a kitchen used to fulfil online food delivery orders. This involves storing, preparing, cooking and dispatching food for delivery.

 

The virtual kitchen brand model allows food franchise operators to run a successful business, without the need for a traditional storefront. Menus are exclusively designed with off-premise customers in mind, focusing on food that travels well and tastes great.

 

Although virtual food brands are primarily utilised by delivery-only business, the lack of “bricks and mortar” storefronts also increases their appeal for street food vendors, food trucks and pop-up restaurants looking to scale their operations.

 

What are the benefits of virtual food brands?

 

There are many bonuses offered by virtual food brands.

 

The sector has driven the success of food entrepreneurs and businesses across the country, encouraging innovation and profitability. Some advantages include:

 

  • Lower overheads and increased profits
  • Great food delivered quickly and efficiently
  • Operational flexibility and scope to experiment
  • Ability to meet changing consumer demands

 

How are virtual food brands created?

 

When developing food brands, we put consumer research front and centre.

 

Looking for a gap in the market is essential, to understand what foods people are struggling to find – and how we can populate this space.

 

This could be anything from a lack of vegan fast food, to sliders and chicken wings or the best Japanese cuisine. At Peckwater Brands, our virtual concepts are uniquely flexible, with the ability to work alongside your kitchen’s existing operations.

 

We further support brands throughout launch and operations, advising on marketing, platform listings, packaging, staff training and technology.

 

Just some of our successful virtual brands (all perfectly tailored to delivery) include:

 

  • Flip the Bird: Seriously good fried chicken and ribs, made from scratch, to order.
  • Say Queso: Mexican inspired tacos, burritos and bowls covered in melted goodness.
  • KTSU: Asian cuisine offering chicken and plant-based katsu dishes.
  • Ding Dog: The “filthy, saucy, drippage” of a Friday-night takeaway, plant-based.
  • Dukes Burger: Quite simply, an unparalleled burger experience. 
  • Chicken Sees a Salad: American-Southwest inspired salads with a kick!

 

At Peckwater Brands our team creates ghost kitchen concepts, but we also have amazing partnerships with global organisations such as Unilever and Buzzfeed to further develop and implement these virtual brands.

 

The success of virtual food brands means they’re firmly here to stay, offering very real benefits to your kitchen operations. Get in touch today and let’s work together.