Not long ago, delivery-only restaurants were a daring idea chefs whispered about between shifts. Now, some of the most inventive virtual brands are fueling a booming industry projected to hit $177B+ by 2032.
And with 75% of customers ordering last-minute meal delivery, there's never been a better time to open (or level-up) your delivery-only brand. Whether you're running a cozy neighborhood kitchen, a multi-location operation, or looking for your next big venture, this guide walks you through it all — from concept to launch.
What are delivery-only restaurants?
At their core, delivery-only restaurants are kitchens built to serve customers beyond the four walls. Instead of seating guests in a dining room, they focus on making great food exclusively for takeout and delivery.
That means lower overhead costs, faster launch times, and the flexibility to expand on your own terms. All you need is a crave-worthy menu, a capable prep team and space, and a memorable brand.
Ghost kitchen vs. virtual kitchen vs. cloud kitchen
You've probably heard all three terms used interchangeably, but they each describe slightly different models in the delivery-only world. Here's how they break down:
Ghost kitchen
A ghost kitchen is a professional food prep facility without a storefront. These kitchens often host multiple brands in one location, each renting space to fulfill online orders. Think of it like a coworking space, but for chefs.
Virtual kitchen
A virtual kitchen operates out of an existing restaurant but focuses on one or more delivery-only brands. For example, a pizza restaurant might also run a virtual burger brand from the same kitchen to reach new audiences on DoorDash.
Cloud kitchen
A cloud kitchen is a broad term that can include ghost and virtual kitchens. It refers to any model that prepares food exclusively for delivery or pickup.
How to open a virtual restaurant: step-by-step guide
Regardless of which delivery-only model fits your business, launching a virtual restaurant in 2025 is more accessible than ever. Follow this roadmap to turn your idea into a thriving online brand.
1. Lock in your concept
Every successful delivery-only brand starts with a strong concept.
What cuisines or food trends are underserved in your area? What type of menu works best for delivery? What value can you offer that sets your brand apart?
Keep it simple and craveable with items that travel well and ideally use the same ingredients as your existing brick-and-mortar restaurant, if you have one.
2. Create a restaurant business plan
Even without a dining room, every great restaurant starts with a plan. Your business plan is your roadmap for startup costs, kitchen setup, staffing needs, marketing strategy, and growth goals. It helps you stay focused, organized, and ready to scale when orders start rolling in.
3. Invest in the right equipment and setup
Your kitchen is your HQ, so make sure it's set up for success.
If you already have a restaurant, double-check that you have enough space to prep, cook, and store everything your delivery-only menu requires. Starting from scratch? Explore commercial or cloud kitchens that fit your equipment needs and budget.
And remember: in delivery, efficiency is everything. The good news? DoorDash integrates with top POS systems, including our DoorDash Preferred Integration Partners, so pickup and delivery orders flow straight to your kitchen.
4. Secure permits and licenses
Even a delivery-only kitchen needs to play by the rules. Just like a traditional restaurant, you'll need to follow local food safety and business regulations before you start serving.
Depending on where you're located, that might include:
Business License
Certificate of Occupancy
Food Handlers Permit
Employee Health Permit
Alcohol License (if applicable)
Every city's requirements are a little different, so it's best to check with your local municipality and kitchen facility for the exact permits you'll need.
5. Curate a stand-out menu
For delivery-only restaurants, your menu is your storefront. It's the first thing customers see, and often what makes them hit "Add to Cart."
Here's how to make yours pop:
Keep it simple. Short, scannable descriptions make decision-making easier.
Use vivid language. Descriptive words help dishes leap off the screen.
Add great visuals. According to internal DoorDash data, menus with high-quality photos can earn up to 44% more monthly sales on DoorDash.
And you don't have to be an expert to do it. With DoorDash's menu management tools, you can instantly generate item descriptions, capture pro-level food photos with our AI camera, and get real-time photo approvals for a menu as fresh as your food.
6. Build a strong brand
In a delivery-only model, your digital identity does all the talking. Make sure it's saying all the right things with clean visuals, strong messaging, and consistent branding across every touchpoint.
Consider connecting your Instagram and DoorDash accounts. You'll not only elevate your DoorDash menu with strong visuals, but also build brand consistency by creating a unified look and feel across both Instagram and DoorDash.
The DoorDash Commerce Platform makes it easy to bring your brand to life with your own branded website or branded mobile app (available in the US only). You get the visibility, and DoorDash takes care of the setup and tech behind the scenes.
Get a Commerce Platform demo7. Partner with a third-party food delivery service
Partnering with a trusted delivery platform like DoorDash Marketplace connects your restaurant to millions of hungry customers searching for their next meal — and helps you grow without adding extra delivery logistics to your plate.
Bowls of Rice, a fast-casual restaurant brand built on a delivery and pickup-only model, leverages Marketplace in tandem with the DoorDash Commerce Platform to provide customers a frictionless experience regardless of how they order — online, on their branded mobile app, or on DoorDash.
Hear Bowls of Rice's full story8. Set up easy online ordering
Make it easy for customers to order straight from you. With Online Ordering, you can unlock commission-free* online ordering for your website that's powered by DoorDash's proven technology.
Case in point: 40% of Denver's Rosenberg's Bagels sales come from DoorDash, with 46% of DoorDash sales owed to Online Ordering.
"DoorDash Online Ordering is the best product ever. If you have a brand that people love, Online Ordering is an option for them to order from you for delivery at a much lower rate to you because they're already your customer."
9. Recruit and train kitchen staff
Even without front-of-house operations, staffing is critical. Your team should be skilled in efficient prep, consistent packaging, and quick order handoff.
Cross-training staff across multiple delivery-only brands or menu concepts can also help you maintain flexibility and reduce labor costs.
10. Market and grow your brand
You've launched — now it's time to grow.
With the DoorDash Commerce Platform, you get everything you need to grow online:
A search engine-optimized website that reflects your brand's unique identity.
A custom-branded mobile app that meets customers where they are and helps drive repeat business.
Commission-free* online ordering for restaurants that's active in 24 hours.
Automated email campaigns that keep your brand top-of-mind (available with the Boost and Pro packages).
Custom marketing campaigns with tailored messaging and segmented targeting (available with the Pro package).
A loyalty program that rewards customers, no matter where they order — in-store, on your website, on your app, and on DoorDash (available with Pro package).
Launch your delivery-only brand today
Learn how the DoorDash Commerce Platform lets you grow sales from your own channels.
Get a Commerce Platform demo*2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee applies
