Delivery

Kitchen United opens Asian concept in US locations

Camile Thai

June 7, 2021

Ghost kitchen company Kitchen United has made a deal with the international multi-platform Asian food business, Camile Food Group, to launch a nutrition-led concept, Camile Thai, nationally with Kitchen United MIX, beginning with its first delivery and takeout concept of the brand in Chicago's MIX location on West Wacker Drive. The location will serve made-to-order, plant-forward dishes, with a sustainability-focused ethos, a news release said.

The companies said the expansion of the united effort will continue throughout 2021, with locations opening in Chicago River North, Pasadena, California and Austin, Texas, though dates were not specified.

"Kitchen United is constantly evaluating new and innovative ways to support our restaurant partners, and working with Camile Thai to present licensing opportunities to operators within our kitchen centers looking to establish a delivery-only business, or build a new segment of their existing portfolio is a perfect illustration of that," Kitchen United Chief Business Officer Atul Sood said in the release.

"While a lot of new trends and short-lived concepts have emerged in the last year amid the rise in popularity of ghost kitchens, Camile Thai offers long-term opportunity and value for operators looking to grow via a licensed model. Based on our partnership with dozens of operators and Camile Thai's proven experience, we are well-positioned to grow together here in the U.S."

Since opening its first restaurant in 2010, Camile Thai has expanded to 40 locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The company said it was an early adopter of a hot food at home delivery model and serves over 10,000 meals everyday to consumers across its network of franchised and company-owned locations.

"We are excited to bring our concept to the U.S. and work closely with Kitchen United given its definitive leadership position in the ghost kitchen industry, along with an impressive list of existing and prospective operator partners," Camile Thai CEO Brody Sweeney said in the release. "The rise of the on-demand economy has driven a monumental shift in traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant service.

"Last year saw the most significant adoption of technology in our industry's history with volume digital food ordering and delivery at its core, and Camile Thai has been a first-mover in Europe. Additionally, we offer operator partners a flexible franchise model to position them for sustained success."

Camile Thai has 39 outlets, including seven in London. Kitchen United provides restaurant hub technology, logistics and commercial kitchen space for off-premise restaurant brands.