First Look: Walmart’s 1st U.S. Ghost Kitchens Location

Walmart is bringing new food options to its customers though a high-tech virtual restaurant offering around two dozen menus.

The retailer has opened its first Ghost Kitchen Brands location in Rochester, NY, kicking off a multi-state expansion. Ghost Kitchens allows customers to use touchscreens inside Walmart to order freshly prepared restaurant meals for delivery or pickup while shopping.

This U.S. expansion builds on Ghost Kitchens’ existing Canadian relationship with Walmart. The retailer plans to open locations in Texas, California, Illinois and Georgia, among others, over the coming months and in 2022.

“We pride ourselves on having the highest standards for our services. Our business is founded on providing innovative offerings that give our customers the experience they are looking for,” said Darryl Spinks, senior director, Retail Services, Walmart U.S. “We are excited to expand our relationship with Ghost Kitchens to continue to bring new and exciting food options to customers, all while providing the convenience our customers need.”

a man standing in a kitchen preparing food

The first Ghost Kitchen at Walmart opened in Canada back in March of this year. The company’s lean operations and technologies allow it to operate dozens of international brands under one banner. The Rochester location, for example, offers meal pickup or delivery from up to 25 food brands, including new additions to Ghost Kitchens’ roster, such as Costa Coffee, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken. A few additional restaurant and CPG brands available at the Rochester location include Saladworks, SLUSH PUPPiE, Cinnabon, Quiznos, The Cheesecake Factory Bakery, Red Bull and more.

“We are thrilled for this next chapter of our growth story in the U.S. as we continue innovating with seamless integrations of new and improved restaurant concepts,” said George Kottas, founder and CEO, Ghost Kitchens. “We are proud to work with Walmart to create best-in-class, technology-driven customer experiences and make top-tier products more accessible across both Canadian and U.S. markets.”

Source: RIS News