TGI Fridays owner makes a $10M bet on C3's virtual brands

The investment, which is part of an $80 million funding round secured by C3 earlier this month, will bring the virtual brand creator's concepts to TriArtisan Capital's three restaurant brands to help boost revenue. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 23, 2021

California judge overturns Prop 22, causing a setback for delivery firms

The judge ruled Friday the law is unconstitutional because it undermines the legislature's ability to grant workers' compensation rights to delivery and rideshare drivers.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Aug. 23, 2021

Brinker adds second virtual brand to product lineup

Maggiano's Italian Classics is currently in 250 restaurants, but is expected to be in 900 units by the end of the year and generate sales over $100 million. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 19, 2021

Slice launches tiered service packages for independent pizzerias

The platform's "essentials" offering includes an in-app listing, rewards and marketing, while more features are available for the "premium" and "complete" models, such as a customized website. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 18, 2021

Grubhub replaces phone orders with assisted ordering feature

The service could potentially be a solution for the company's ongoing issues with orders placed over the phone, which have led to legislative changes in New York City. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 12, 2021

Burger King parent leads $14M investment in home-cooked delivery company

Restaurant Brands International will use its financial backing of WoodSpoon to learn more about new service modes and emerging trends as it dives deeper into digital guest engagements.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 11, 2021

Postmates strikes nearly $1M deal with Seattle over gig worker claims

The city began investigating the aggregator after workers complained that it failed to provide paid sick and safe time, violating a pandemic-era ordinance. 

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 9, 2021

IHOP explores virtual brands, new loyalty program

A delivery-only model could leverage the breakfast chain's current infrastructure, which includes two full kitchens in about 70% of its restaurants.

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 6, 2021

DoorDash users can now add food from c-stores to their restaurant orders

The DoubleDash feature allows consumers to add items from nearby stores, like 7-Eleven and Wawa, to their original purchase without additional delivery fees or minimums. 

By Alicia Kelso • Aug. 5, 2021

Kitchen United partners with Kroger to open in-store ghost kitchens

The first location will debut inside a Ralphs in Los Angeles this fall, and each site will offer up to six local, regional or national brands. 

By Julie Littman • Aug. 4, 2021

Gopuff raises another $1B to fuel rapid growth

The company, which is now valued at $15 billion, will use the funding to expand to new locations and offer fresh meal delivery through Gopuff Kitchens.

By Jeff Wells • Aug. 2, 2021

New York City Council extends 15% delivery fee cap until 2022

The legislation is part of a package of bills that would tighten third-party food delivery restrictions, including barring non-partner listings.

By Alicia Kelso • July 30, 2021

Wingstop accelerates ghost kitchen push into Manhattan

The fast causal chain plans to open 25 locations in the market that will be a mix of traditional units and digital-only kitchens. 

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2021

DoorDash opens second shared kitchen facility

At its new pop-up facility in San Jose, California, the company will provide help with hiring, training and operations for partner brands as part of its DoorDash Kitchens Full Service model. 

By Julie Littman • July 29, 2021

Grubhub to absorb Seamless brand following Just Eat transaction

In addition to the single-brand strategy, Grubhub will focus heavily on growing in its strongest metro areas, like Chicago and New York City.

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2021

DoorDash, Grubhub sue San Francisco over permanent delivery caps

The companies claim the 15% cap — which San Francisco's Board of Supervisors unanimously passed in June — is unnecessary, harmful, unconstitutional and will result in fewer orders for restaurants.

By Julie Littman • July 19, 2021

How successful ghost kitchens are built

Restaurant operators need to focus on location, menu development and consumer satisfaction KPIs when developing delivery-only concepts, writes Chris Adams, vice president of strategy at Oracle Food and Beverage.

By Chris Adams • July 16, 2021

Host kitchen and software startup Acelerate secures $14.4M in funding

The company licenses seven proprietary brands to existing restaurants and works with operators to bring their menus to other restaurant partners.

By Alicia Kelso , Emma Liem Beckett • July 15, 2021

Ruby Tuesday to serve virtual barbecue brand in-store

Through September, guests can order Libby's BBQ, which was originally conceived as a delivery-only brand, for dine-in, takeout and delivery. 

By Julie Littman • July 15, 2021

Dickey's to debut a brick-and-mortar store for its virtual wings brand

Wing Boss will open a restaurant in the Dallas market following strong results just four months after its launch as a delivery-only brand.

By Alicia Kelso • July 14, 2021

Grubhub gives diners perks to offset late deliveries, lower competitor prices

Grubhub said its latest feature, which is funded by the aggregator and not restaurants, will help protect restaurant reputations and create better diner experiences.

By Julie Littman • July 12, 2021

Digital c-store Gopuff hiring over 100 employees to back ghost kitchens operation

Job listings, which include line cooks, kitchen leads and district managers, across at least six states hint that the company is preparing to deliver fresh-made foods. 

By Julie Littman • July 9, 2021

Study: Labor shortages, food costs are now restaurants' biggest concerns

New research commissioned by Uber Eats and DoorDash shows concern about these issues eclipses operator worries about third-party delivery fees.

By Alicia Kelso • July 8, 2021

C3 raises $80M to grow virtual brand footprint

Reef Technology, which co-led the investment alongside Brookfield Asset Management, has committed to carrying C3's brands in 500 of its ghost kitchens in the U.S. 

By Julie Littman • July 7, 2021

Grubhub, Yandex deploy delivery bots to first college campus

The Ohio State University students will be able to order deliveries from on-campus dining through Grubhub's app, which will be fulfilled by 50 Yandex robots.

By Julie Littman • Updated Aug. 19, 2021