Learn about virtual restaurants, virtual kitchens, and ghost kitchens, and how they help restaurant operators drive additional revenue.
A virtual kitchen is a delivery-only restaurant that operates without a dining room. You can start one from your existing kitchen to boost sales and reach new customers through DoorDash.
In this blog post, we'll explore delivery-only restaurant models and how Scaffidi Restaurant Group, a family-owned Italian restaurant in Steubenville, Ohio, launched the first virtual kitchen in the Ohio Valley region.
What is a virtual kitchen?
A virtual kitchen is a delivery-only concept that allows restaurants to launch an additional restaurant using their existing kitchen and staff. Virtual restaurants help boost sales and reach new customers without increasing operational costs.
By running a virtual restaurant, operators can attract new audiences, test new menu ideas, and drive extra revenue with minimal upfront investment.
What is the difference between a virtual kitchen and a ghost kitchen?
A virtual kitchen is a delivery-only brand that operates out of an existing restaurant’s kitchen — often using the same staff, space, and equipment. It lets restaurants test new menu ideas or reach new customers without opening a new location.
A ghost restaurant (or ghost kitchen) typically operates out of a dedicated commercial facility with no dine-in space and may even host several brands under one roof. While both models focus on delivery, virtual kitchens usually extend an existing restaurant’s reach, whereas ghost restaurants often function as standalone businesses built solely for off-premise orders.
How do virtual kitchens work?
Virtual kitchens operate out of existing commercial kitchens or shared facilities. Orders are placed through online channels like DoorDash Marketplace, the DoorDash Commerce Platform, or your own branded website and app.
Because there’s no dine-in experience, restaurants can focus on efficiency — streamlining prep, packaging, and order fulfillment to meet digital demand. You can even run multiple virtual brands from one location, each with its own menu and online presence.
Benefits of virtual restaurants
Virtual kitchens help restaurants:
Grow sales without new real estate: Launch a new delivery brand from your current kitchen.
Reach new customers: Appear in more search results on DoorDash and other platforms.
Increase team stability: Offer consistent shifts and hours by adding off-peak delivery. volume.
Future-proof your business: Diversify income streams and adapt quickly to changing market conditions.
How Scaffidi Restaurant Group found success with a virtual restaurant business
After COVID-19 forced restaurants to shut down dine-in operations, Scaffidi Restaurant Group partnered with DoorDash to quickly expand delivery operations and create a business model that thrived in any economic environment. In just a few months, their monthly delivery orders increased by 1,850%. Pleased with this initial off-premise success, Frankie DiCarlantonio, Director, Scaffidi Restaurant Group came up with the idea for a delivery-only chicken wing restaurant.
As Frankie explained in Steubenville's local newspaper, "A lot of our business was focused around catering and around people gathering at the bar," he said. "But that wasn't happening, and we wanted some unique ways to build our brand. We did our homework, we researched trends and found what others in the same situation as us were doing. We found that in a lot of cities and large metropolitan areas where technology was more prevalent, the virtual kitchen concept was working quite well."
In just six weeks, Frankie set up operations, trained his staff, and stocked inventory to launch Scaffidi's Wings on Wheels — the first virtual kitchen in the Ohio Valley region. The virtual brand offers delivery and pickup through DoorDash Marketplace and DoorDash Commerce Platform, as well as other third-party platforms.
"We didn't want to rely so much on in-house dining anymore. We wanted a brand that was untouchable — that has what it takes to get through a disaster like COVID-19."
When asked to share tips for other small market restaurants considering DoorDash, Frankie encouraged them to dive into the third-party delivery trend. "I would say to do it. I was wholeheartedly surprised at the volume that came in the beginning," noted Frankie.
"People are getting used to using technology in their everyday life — it's not going anywhere anytime soon," he said. "Why not be a trailblazer and open the first virtual kitchen in your area?"
How to start a virtual restaurant
You can launch a virtual brand in a few simple steps:
Identify a concept: Choose a cuisine or niche that complements your existing menu.
Optimize your kitchen: Use available space and staff to handle both in-person and delivery prep.
Set up your online ordering: Create a commission-free* website or branded mobile app using DoorDash Commerce Platform.
Market your new brand: Add your menu to DoorDash Marketplace, share on social media, and run Sponsored Listings.
Track performance and refine: Use analytics in the Merchant Portal to monitor sales, top-selling items, and repeat orders.
DoorDash partners have access to built-in marketing tools, loyalty programs, and insights that make launching and scaling virtual kitchens simpler than ever.
Launching a virtual kitchen is one of the fastest ways to expand your restaurant’s reach and revenue — without the high costs of opening a new location. Whether you’re testing a new concept, serving a different neighborhood, or future-proofing your business against changing dining habits, the opportunity is wide open.
With DoorDash Commerce Platform, you can build your own branded online ordering experience, connect with loyal customers, and grow on your own terms.
Ready to start your next concept? Explore DoorDash Commerce Platform and see how easy it is to launch a virtual kitchen that drives sales today — and keeps customers coming back tomorrow.
