The Power of Virtual QSR Brands: Unlocking New Revenue Streams for your Restaurant

In a rapidly evolving food service landscape, virtual QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) brands are emerging as one of the most powerful tools to grow revenue, expand reach, and maximize kitchen efficiency, all without increasing your overhead.

If you’re running a restaurant and not leveraging delivery-only brands, you might be leaving some serious money, and profits, on the table.

What Are Virtual QSR Brands?

Virtual QSR brands are delivery-only restaurant concepts that exist solely online. They have no physical storefront or dine-in option. Instead, they operate out of the available space in your restaurant kitchen. They are often referred to as "ghost kitchens", and are listed on popular food delivery platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Skip The Dishes.

For example, your brick-and-mortar burger restaurant could also operate a virtual pizza concept, a gourmet pasta brand, or even a delivery only dessert brand, all from the same kitchen. Each concept appears independently to customers online, giving the illusion of multiple restaurants while optimizing your current kitchen infrastructure. All the while not interfering with your current business or brand identity.

Why They Work So Well

1. Low Overhead, High Potential - You already have the kitchen, the staff, and the equipment. Virtual brands allow you to do more with what you already have. There's no need to invest in new real estate, seating, signage, or additional rent.

   
   

2. Maximize Off-Peak Hours - Many restaurants experience downtime during certain hours. A late-night dessert brand or pizza concept can help fill those gaps and bring in additional revenue.

   
   

3. Reach New Customers - Virtual brands let you tap into trending food categories, like Gourmet Poutine, Thick Blended Milkshakes, or Chef Inspired Street Food, without changing your core menu. This allows you to test markets, explore new cuisines, and reach different demographics under separate brand identities.

   
   

4. Agility and Experimentation - Unlike traditional restaurants, virtual brands can be tested and pivoted quickly. You can experiment with pricing, menus, and promotions in real-time, guided by data and customer feedback.

   
   

5. Boost Your Visibility - More brands on delivery platforms means more screen real estate. By offering multiple brands from the same kitchen, you can dominate local search results and increase your chances of winning customer orders. For example, if you have a busy Thai Food restaurant, chances are you will do well when someone wants Thai Food. However, the statistics show that people who order online do so 3-4 times each week. What if you do not have what they are looking for? You lose the revenue. This simply allows you to capture more revenue, more often.

   
   

Real-World Impact

Restaurants across the globe are seeing double-digit percentage increases in delivery revenue by introducing virtual brands. A single well-positioned concept can add thousands of dollars in monthly revenue, all from the same kitchen.

One taco shop, for example, launched a delivery-only smoothie brand during summer months and saw a 25% boost in overall sales, without adding a single new ingredient to its kitchen inventory. Another Italian restaurant spun off a grilled cheese virtual brand using their existing cheese and bread stock. It quickly became one of the top-rated options in their city on Uber Eats.

Food for Thought

In today’s competitive and primarily delivery-driven dining landscape, virtual QSR brands are not just a trend, they are a strategic advantage. Whether you are trying to boost sales, generate more profitability, or simply make the most of your kitchen, virtual brands offer a low-risk, high-reward opportunity that every restaurant should take advantage of.

Ready to launch one? Give EpiCore Virtual Brands a call. We can help you decide on the brands that would work best for you, and have you up and running in just 7 days! You might be surprised how easy, and how profitable, it is to maximize your restaurant business.

About The Author

David Chadwick is the President and Founder of EpiCore Virtual Brands. He is a seasoned restaurant operator who has committed his life to the hospitality industry and is passionate about helping other operators succeed, and get the most out of their business. EpiCore Brands is a Virtual QSR Restaurant Brand licensing company committed to helping restaurants be more successful. For more information please contact us at epicorebrands@gmail.com