Ghost kitchens and delivery-only restaurants (2020-2022)
During the pandemic, restaurant chains including Chipotle opened delivery-only kitchens without dining areas. The format let brands serve delivery demand while cutting real estate costs.
Chipotle and other chains opened digital-only locations in major cities, serving delivery orders exclusively.
The trend normalized no-dining-area operations for established brands, with several chains maintaining digital-only locations after the pandemic.
Molly's Cupcakes' no-dining-area license follows this pattern of established chains testing takeout and delivery-focused formats.
