Global Franchise Group, the strategic brand management company and franchisor of Round Table Pizza, Great American Cookies, Hot Dog on a Stick, Marble Slab Creamery, and Pretzelmaker, announced the debut of its first ghost kitchen concept. Partnering with CloudKitchens, the ghost kitchen will open on Tuesday, April 20th as a remote Round Table Pizza location for pickup and delivery only at 358 West 38th Street in Los Angeles, California.
The franchise location will be operated by Leticia Vasquez, a longtime Round Table franchisee with an additional restaurant in Culver City. The ghost kitchen, open from 11am to 11pm Monday through Sunday, will offer an abbreviated menu focusing on large and personal sized pizzas in addition to the brand’s beloved Garlic Parmesan Twists. This location marks the first of a planned brand expansion in the Los Angeles area including both traditional and non-traditional spaces. Currently, Round Table Pizza has more than 415 locations across the country. With approximately 200 franchise agreements in the development pipeline, the brand footprint is expected to reach 500 locations in the next two years.
“Global Franchise Group is proud to introduce our first ghost kitchen location—the first of what we hope will be many for our family of brands,” says Paul Damico, CEO of GFG. “Our organization is committed to innovation and technology and we are constantly making investments to support the success of our franchisees and brands for years to come. The ghost kitchen concept is incredibly popular and perfect for Round Table Pizza. Congratulations go out to Leticia Vasquez on this monumental opening and our thanks to CloudKitchens for being a great partner.”
Ghost kitchens operate entirely as a vehicle for pickup and delivery services and allow brands to expand their footprint while dramatically reducing overhead costs. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced restaurant closures across the country and dramatically reduced in-store dining capacities, ghost kitchens have continued to prove a cost-effective alternative to brick-and-mortar build outs for a variety of quick serve and fast casual restaurant brands.
“I am thrilled to open the first ghost kitchen concept for Round Table Pizza and Global Franchise Group,” says Vasquez. “We’ve seen a significant shift in consumer dining trends since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as more customers begin to rely on takeout and delivery options. Now, with the opening of our first ghost kitchen we can bring Round Table Pizza to a larger customer base and I see huge potential for the continued growth of the brand. Any new restaurant opening can be overwhelming and I am extremely grateful to have navigated the entire process with the support of Global Franchise Group behind me. The corporate team has been knowledgeable, supportive and communicative every step of the way.”
