GHOST KITCHENS CHANGE THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY FOR WORKERS AND CONSUMERS

BY KATIE BASINGER

Businesses like Uber Eats, GrubHub, and DoorDash have hit a breakthrough in recent years. Approximately 60% of Americans have used these third party delivery services and as the number keeps rising, so does the drive for standing restaurants to take advantage of the services.

As a way to make an extra couple dollars, many restaurants have introduced the idea of Ghost Kitchens. Ghost Kitchens are individual businesses that run original restaurants out of their physical store but market them as brand new businesses to save money on property.

Many people are eager to try what they see as a new food establishment. However, people that have thorough experience are not too happy.

Wadsworth High School Senior, Colin Moore, explained that they are misleading to the average customer.

“If someone has a bad experience at a restaurant, let’s say Chilis, and then they order It’s Just Wings, I feel like they would be unhappy when it gets to their house and the box says Chilis on it. I think that if businesses need a quick buck then they are good but I don’t think they are good for long term customers,” said Moore.

Moore explained that businesses also have to pay an upkeep fee for having their business on apps like DoorDash, so not only would they be paying the price for their restaurant but for their Ghost Kitchen as well.

Kristi Gonzales, a local DoorDash employee, explains that the pickups can be difficult for the Dashers.

“Typically the hardest part is figuring out which restaurant you’re actually going to,” Gonzales said. “DoorDash has done better with the accuracy regarding adding the correct address. It would definitely help to know the actual business storefront name that you’re picking up from though. They are almost always listed under the ghost kitchen name, if ordered under the ghost kitchen.”

While Moore thinks that overall they are unnecessary for the average businesses due to the inaccurate vision they are painting for the consumer and the additional costs that the businesses pay, Gonzales also explains that they do benefit the business and the delivery service though. To the average customer, they are illusionary.

“I’m not sure if I would say they’re scamming necessarily, it is still goods exchanged for payment, though it’s definitely illusionary from a customer’s standpoint,” said Gonzales.

Many recognizable businesses such as Applebees, Chilis, Chuck E. Cheese’s, and Mr. Beast Burger, have taken advantage of this supposedly prosperous business tactic.

Overall, a tried and true way to get one’s moneys worth is to simply go to the restaurant in person. It is necessary for one to consider time versus money–the customer makes the ultimate choice, but to be knowledgeable on the facts can often make the difference to the overall experience.