Innovation can be a one-off stroke of genius in a place not known for new concepts.
More often, spaces — either formalized or due to the strengths of a collective community — can assist, foster, and push forward innovation, which can in turn lead to startups and founders striving to break new ground in any number of fields.
Since its fall 2021 launch, Memphis Inno — MBJ’s brand geared toward startups, technology, and innovation — has expanded its coverage of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In that vein of coverage, MBJ is spotlighting Inno Spaces — such as Bite Ninja's headquarters — that are shaping the fortunes of individual startups and creating a community of innovation in Memphis.
Bite Ninja
Bite Ninja looks to help you get your food faster — and make the restaurant industry significantly more efficient. A provider of cloud labor to restaurants, the startup is doing pilot programs with some of the largest quick-service food chains in the country, which have taken an interest in its offering.
Restaurants can use Bite Ninja’s platform to outsource drive-thru and counter shifts to the startup’s network of trained 1099 contractors, who take orders from their homes. Those workers can be in the same city or live on the other side of the country. They can work a variety of shift lengths, whether it’s one or two hours during the busiest periods, or a longer, more sustained time.
If a customer pulls up to a restaurant’s drive-thru, they’ll see the Bite Ninja contractor’s face on the menu screen and hear their voice come through the speaker. If they order at the counter, they’ll see their face on a screen, where the cashier would usually stand.
Given its emphasis on efficiency and technology, it’s only fitting that Bite Ninja would have a sleek, modern headquarters.
We asked Bite Ninja co-founder Will Clem to give us a rundown of the space.
Here’s what he said:
MBJ: Please provide a brief history of the space. How did Bite Ninja end up there?
Will Clem: In March 2022, Bite Ninja acquired its office building located at 7251 Appling Farms Parkway. Moving into the headquarters was the next step in Bite Ninja’s growth as a company, expanding from humble beginnings in Memphis garages since the company's founding in 2020. Bite Ninja worked closely with Jones Aur Commercial Real Estate to secure the spacious and modern office unit to further promote the company’s expansion.
How big is it, and how many employees work there? Bite Ninja’s headquarters is 11,000 square feet and houses 23 employees. The company as a whole boasts 3,000 U.S.-based “Ninjas” who work from a location of their choice and appear on-screen to customers at menu boards in quick-service restaurant drive-thrus and counters.
What are some of its primary features? Bite Ninja's contemporary office is a landmark visible from I-40. Powered by energy-efficient solar panels, the spacious office features an attractive interior with a conference room, showroom floor, and a fully equipped kitchen. We selected this location for its convenient loading dock, pallet jack, and showroom, which make it an ideal space for our operations.
How is the space used, and does it help Bite Ninja achieve its goals? When seeking a headquarters location to facilitate the expansion of the company, we were looking for a space that would establish a logistical hub for restaurant tech innovation and hold hardware needed for our transformative technology. Equally important was creating a comfortable, family-oriented workspace that fosters effective communication among our employees. That's precisely what drew us to this building.
What are the plans for the space's future? As Bite Ninja continues to grow and expand, we plan to utilize the space to further our company’s innovations and solidify Bite Ninja as the ultimate restaurant tech provider in the Memphis area.
