Your guide to virtual restaurants and ghost kitchens
Tips, tricks, and benefits for Runners
Have you come across a Favor lately that needed to be picked up from a different restaurant than the one listed in the app? Perhaps you recognize the restaurant at the location, but the restaurant listed on the order doesn’t match? You’ve likely encountered a virtual restaurant or ghost kitchen.
The terms “virtual restaurant” and “ghost kitchen” are often used interchangeably, but don’t be fooled — they’re unique and have their own needs when it comes to running Favors.
We know delivering from these merchants can be a little confusing at first, but don’t cancel those orders — we’ve created this guide to help you keep running!
What is a virtual restaurant?
Virtual restaurants, such as Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings, MrBeast Burger, and Twisted Mac, are delivery-only merchants that operate within a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The Pickup Notes on the acceptance screen will tell you which restaurant to pick items up from, and the items you’re picking up won’t exist on the regular dine-in menu. You can also find these details under Store Details when running the Favor.
Always be sure to double-check the order is correct, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance at the location to ensure the customer is satisfied.
What is a ghost kitchen?
A ghost kitchen is a restaurant that offers food for takeout only and operates out of space that is rented from a third party. For example, Hawaiian Bros rents a space in a Cloud Kitchens facility. When picking up orders from a ghost kitchen, there will likely not be signage with the restaurant’s exact name, so it’s important to pay close attention to the Store Details so you know where to pick up the items.
What are the perks of running these Favors?
Many (but not all!) Favors from virtual restaurants are automated, meaning the order has already been placed on your behalf and all you need to do is pick it up and deliver it. In addition, Favors from ghost kitchens can often be completed faster because the restaurants have no in-person customer operations. Without having to wait on guests, they can focus on getting meals made and out the door to you quickly so you can move on to your next Favor.
How to run Favors from virtual restaurants and ghost kitchens
Favors from virtual restaurants and ghost kitchens are completed just like any other Favor. Before running the Favor, it’s helpful to review the Pickup Notes on the acceptance screen — if not, you may cancel the order out of confusion and miss out on a great Favor (and tip)!
When you arrive, double-check the Store Details. They’ll tell you exactly where you need to go to pick up the order or explain that the order is inside another brick-and-mortar restaurant at a specific address.
Happy running!
