Kroger to make takeout and delivery orders for grocery chains

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Kroger to make takeout and delivery orders for grocery chains

America's largest grocery chains are cooking up a ghost kitchen for customers to order food on demand.

Kroger has announced its partnership with Kitchen United to make takeout and delivery orders for grocery chains across the country. The partnership comes as more consumers are attempting to cook prepared meals during the pandemic.

The local, regional or national restaurant kitchen will feature up to six off-premise ingredients cooking in Kroger stores, the company said in a news release. Customers can place orders using the Kitchen Unit website, application or order using kiosks.

Restaurant staff will then cook up orders. The delivery service fees will be determined by third-party providers, the company said.

As we continue to define Kroger as a food destination, this collaboration creates another seamless way for our customers to order lunch or dinner for pick up while they shop for groceries or for delivery to their location of choice, Craig Gauden said in a statement.

The ghost kitchen business model accelerated during the pandemic when more consumers relied heavily on food pick ups or deliveries. Restaurants or multiple restaurant have kitchens to share to help reduce overhead, reducing the cost of rent and labor.

Walmart rolled out a similar partnership with Ghost Kitchen Brands in March, allowing shoppers in select locations to choose items from menus of 15 national and regional restaurants and CPG food concepts like Quiznos, Saladworks and more in one order, Nation's Restaurant News reported. The on-site kitchens also partner with third party deliveries services like Uber Eats.