Hybrid ghost kitchen concept is designed to help restaurant brands expand to new markets with delivery/takeout
Local Kitchens, the virtual food hall launched last year by former DoorDash employees, has raised $25 million in Series A funding, the company announced Monday.
The investment round led by General Catalyst with support from Human Capital and Pear VC includes newcomers Fifth Wall and Penny Jar Capital and will bring the virtual brand operator’s total funding to $28 million.
The plan is to expand into new markets in California and beyond, said the San Francisco-based operator.
Founded by former DoorDash staffers Jon Goldsmith, Andrew Munday and Jordan Bramble, Local Kitchens has built a network of units throughout the Bay Area offering guests the opportunity to mix-and-match orders from different restaurant brands in one delivery.
Each Local Kitchens location features eight to 10 restaurants available for delivery or takeout. The menus are available under a licensing model, and brands in the Bay Area include Curry Up Now, Mixt, Sajj Mediterranean and The Little Chihuahua.
“Local Kitchens’ mission is to ensure that local restaurants — not just national brands — can thrive in the ‘new normal,’” said Goldsmith, CEO and co-founder of Local Kitchens, in a statement. “In the six months since our seed round, we’ve helped more than a dozen local restaurants add millions in new sales and connect with customers in new markets. This funding will help us accelerate our impact and help our restaurant partners scale across the country.”
Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter: @livetodineout
