BurgerFi Opens Ghost Kitchen in Miami
BurgerFi International launched its first ghost kitchen”in Miami. The better-burger chain with a cult-like following announced last month a multi-market licensing agreement with Reef Kitchens, a player in the development and expansion of tech-forward neighborhood kitchens. The VC-backed “neighborhood kitchen” is the first of up to 15 planned kitchens for BurgerFi across the country.
This Miami virtual kitchen will service all of Downtown Miami and the Brickell area. BurgerFi has two more Miami delivery-only kitchen locations in the pipeline with the next one set to open in Midtown Miami, increasing the brand’s reach from the Midtown area to Wynwood and the Design District.
“Our team is thrilled to partner with BurgerFi’s senior management to support the numerous growth initiatives, such as ghost kitchens, which allow for a significantly greater brand footprint and the ability to test new markets,” said Ophir Sternberg, Chairman of Opes Acquisition Corp. Just last week OPES announced last week its intent to merge with BurgerFi. OPES and BurgerFi are on track to execute the definitive agreement by the end of the month with a closing expected in the third quarter of 2020.
With off-premise sales becoming integral to the restaurant industry, BurgerFi has remained on the forefront of innovation by having significantly optimized its takeout and delivery platforms for performance and profitability.
By the end of the year, BurgerFi plans to enter new markets with Reef’s neighborhood kitchens including Seattle, Houston, Nashville and Minneapolis. Additional markets are scheduled for 2021.
“Our purpose is to redefine the way the world eats burgers – we do that by harnessing innovation and technology to provide our guests with an unparalleled eating and dining experience," said Charlie Guzzetta, Chief Brand Development Officer for BurgerFi. "Ghost kitchens allow us to tap into existing infrastructure to create new growth opportunities while building brand recognition and integrity.”
Given the fast growth of on-demand food delivery, Reef Technology has created delivery-only neighborhood kitchens, otherwise known as ghost kitchens, as a key component of their hubs. Reef Kitchens is a national network of 85+ neighborhood kitchens across 18 cities that allow food entrepreneurs, local restaurants, and national restaurant brands to open and quickly expand their delivery businesses. Reef Kitchens lowers the barriers, costs, and burdens for restaurants and is helping to bring fresh, healthy, responsible and chef-driven food to local neighborhoods.
Opes Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company headquartered in Miami and organized for the purpose of effecting a merger, asset acquisition, stock purchase or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.
BurgerFi operates nearly 125 BurgerFi restaurants domestically and internationally.