Virtual Dining Concepts LLC was chosen as one of Orlando Business Journal's 2022 Fire Awards honorees, who were featured in OBJ's April 29-May 5, 2022, weekly edition.
The Orlando-based company was started by restauranteur Robert Earl of Planet Hollywood fame, and has grown in the last two years due to the rise of "ghost kitchens." Its parent Virtual Holdings Inc. in fall 2021 closed a $20 million Series A investment round, which was expected to help it develop new technology, beef up its corporate infrastructure, and ramp up marketing and customer support, the company previously told OBJ.
Virtual Dining Concepts, which kicked off in January 2020 with Wing Squad, collaborates with celebrities and well-known brands to create online-only restaurant concepts, and then partners with existing independent kitchens to provide the special menus to customers, which helps increase those restaurants' sales. The delivery-only infrastructure, exclusive online platform and marketing strategy services guide existing restaurant operators from set-up to inception.
Joining Wing Squad are another 13 concepts: TikTok Kitchen, Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Kitchen, NASCAR Refuel, Barstool Bites, Buddy V’s Cake Slice, MrBeast Burger, Mariah’s Cookies, Steve Harvey’s Family Food, Mario’s Tortas Lopez, Pauly D’s Italian Subs, Foodgod Truffle Fries, Larray’s Loaded Mac & Cheese and P.Za Kitchen.
Here's more from CEO Stephanie Sollers, who stepped into the company's newly created position in early April:
What was your company’s biggest accomplishment of 2021? MrBeast Burger grew from 300 U.S.-based market partner restaurants at launch in December 2020 to 1,600 market partners in five countries: the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, UAE [United Arab Emirates] and Taiwan.
How did you get it done? Great partnerships and a focused team dedicated to outreach and ensuring our market partners are successful
How does your company stay innovative and on the cutting-edge? By constantly challenging ourselves and creating strategic partnerships with some of the most relevant and cutting-edge companies and creators. We're working with the best, most forward-thinking media platforms and brands.
What is the biggest challenge facing your industry? Supply chain and labor
What is your company’s top goal for 2022? Continue our growth and focus on innovation
Are you hiring now? We are hiring immediately in sales, marketing, operations and finance.
Virtual Dining Concepts LLC
- Top executives: Stephanie Sollers, CEO; co-founders: Robert Earl, Trish Giordano, Robbie Earl
- Year founded: 2020
- Capital raised since founding: $20 million in series A funding
- Employees in Central Florida: 65
- Employees companywide: 70
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