While the virtual world was evolving around sold goods and clothing, the line between the offline and online has faded a lot recently in the hospitality industry and restaurants’ sector in specific. 

Customers now have a big room of flexibility when it comes to dining out. They can go to a restaurant for a dine in or they can simply order online or pick up their food to enjoy it while they’re home.

Restaurants are a great example of how industries can adapt to market changes and variations of trends and tastes.

These changes became an actual need for restaurants and customers. 

Why strictly receive dine in customers while you can have online orders added to your revenues, especially when customers are accommodated to a mix of offered services that feed their hunger whenever arises.

Virtual restaurants are becoming an essential part of the hospitality and restaurants’ sector so you better be ready for it.

What is a virtual restaurant?

When we say virtual restaurant, we mean the brand is available strictly online and they serve customers through their own delivery system or through a collaboration with a third party like the numerous delivery platforms available. 

Benefits of opening a virtual restaurant 

Even with the reopening of restaurants and people getting vaccinated, many people are leaning towards the convenience of having their food delivered to them. 

While some people went back to dining at restaurants, we can still expect a growth in the sales of online food deliveries.

Low capital needed

With no dining options, the costs of operating a full scale restaurant are reduced. With only a kitchen to prepare your food, you are saving the costs of utilities, rental and the settings of a regular restaurant.

Flexibility 

Since you are operating online, it’s way easier to make changes to your menu, ingredients and test food combinations. 

You can even try different concepts of the restaurant itself without affecting your customers or having to alter your operations or add your staff.

Less risk

Whether you are a totally new brand in the restaurants’ sector or you branched out from an existing restaurant, you are actually operating with less risks. 

Since the operating costs are less than opening a full scale restaurant, your risks are also reduced.

If you have a dine in restaurant prior to the virtual restaurant, it means that you have a shared cost as well. 

How to start your own virtual restaurant?

Decide on the concept 

Identify the concept of your restaurant and the business model you need to follow to identify your investment, people needed, resources and money.

Are you going for a shared space kitchen or a single based kitchen? 

Depending on your choice, you can make your calculations and decide on your needs.

Scan for competition 

Even if you are already operating in a dining restaurant, competition for going virtual is quite different. 

For this purpose, know your competitors, platforms they use, delivery method they use, prices, suppliers and resources and most importantly, what makes them successful.

Once you know these details, check how feasible these options are for your business and existing capital and identify areas of differentiation.

Is slow service a downturn that causes customers to complain or reduce their orders? 

Work on faster delivery services and it’s wiser in this case to hire people for delivery services rather than a third party.

Work on the menu

Depending on the concept and target audience, it’s time to set your menu. 

Menu engineering is the core of your business from choosing the meals to pricing to menu designing.

Deciding on food that travels well should be taken into consideration while deciding on the platters.

Build your social media

Remember that you are virtually serving your customers so marketing is essential here.

Invest in food photography because it’s the first connection you’ll be creating with potential customers. 

Attractive food pictures entice customers to click on your page and start browsing different platters and anticipate an order.

Be careful though!

Don’t post unrealistic pictures like oversized burgers that you don’t serve. Make your served food appealing but close to reality.

If you’re planning to have your own website especially if the order will be made directly from your side then build your SEO because website ranking especially in a virtual business matters. 

Hiring a marketing specialist that understands and uses the targeted keywords is essential if you can’t do it yourself so he can bring traffic to your website.

Use Words like restaurant, online, delivery, fast food, comfort food or specific platters’ names. 

Don’t forget offline communication like messages to send out offers, menu changes and upcoming events.

Delivery options 

Are you hiring a third party to deliver your order? 

Is it in house? 

It’s crucial for you to decide but bear in mind that for each choice, there are pros and cons so you weigh your options based on your differentiating strengths. 

Check this article to learn more about delivery options.

Choose the appropriate technology provider

You absolutely need a POS provider that processes your orders, monitors your inventory and manages your customer relations. 

Some of the criteria that you should be looking for are ease of use, multi-branch management, menu engineering options…

You need reliable software that saves you money and time and enhances your performance.

Opening a virtual restaurant is a convenient option to start your business or expand your audience. 

Remember that it’s a very flexible business so have fun testing your menu, your hours of operation without the hassle of making lots of changes accompanied with lots of expenses.