Digital kitchens are simply those that take advantage of technology, such as mobile applications and websites that allow you to place orders in advance, deliveries to third parties or kiosks, to work smarter, not harder. As digital kitchens that use technology for their operations increase their efficiency, they can focus more on the customer. Really, not long ago, most restaurants weren't doing enough takeout and delivery businesses to need some kind of special configuration for off-site orders. However, a trend that was accelerating before the pandemic accelerated like a snowball in an avalanche once diners were largely isolated in their homes.
With dining rooms closed across the country, digital orders at many chains quickly exceeded those placed on site. This meant a rapid change in the operations of restaurants that hadn't yet done so, if they wanted to compete in this new environment. One of the trend-setting companies in this space is Chipotle Mexican Grill, which began installing second machines in select locations several years ago after seeing business growth outside the facility. However, Zalotrawala said that the digital kitchen prototype differs from a ghost kitchen because it is open to customers.
In recent months, several chains of “express” prototypes aimed at capturing the growth of digital businesses have been released. And Burger King is designing a kitchen suspended above the restaurant's self-service lanes to take up less space. Orders are delivered from the kitchen using a conveyor belt, and each self-service has its own collection point. The latest from Restaurant Business, delivered straight to your inbox.
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