If you've recently used a food delivery app like Uber Eats, Door Dash or Grub Hub, you've probably noticed a lot of restaurants around the Flint area that seem mysterious. Names and pictures that sound and look decent, but no brick & mortar stores. Those... are ghost kitchens.

What is a ghost kitchen?

Which well-known Genesee County restaurants have ghost kitchens?

These are popular places, but you'd have no idea they're operating numerous "restaurants" from their main kitchen.

  • Buffalo Wild Wings (Flint, Grand Blanc, Fenton) has two ghost kitchens:
    • Bird Dawgs
    • Wild Burger
Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Google Street View
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  • Hooter's on Miller Road, Flint has four ghost kitchens:
    • Hootie's Burger Bar
    • Hootie's Bait and Tackle
    • Hootie's Chicken Tenders
    • Chase Elliott's Chicken Tenders
Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Google Street View
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  • Pita Way (Grand Blanc, Davison, Fenton, Lapeer) has one (if they have more, I haven't found it yet).
    • Great Lakes Shawarma Company
Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Google Street View
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  • Outback Steakhouse on Miller Road Flint has one:
    • Tender Shack -- specializing in chicken and fries. (Sometimes these are operated by Outback's sister brand, Carrabba's, too.)
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Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Google Street View
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  • Chili's on Miller Road in Flint has one:
    • It's Just Wings
Credit Google Street View
Credit Google Street View
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  • Applebee's (numerous locations in Genesee County) operates one:
    • Cosmic Wings
Credit Google Street View
Credit Google Street View
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  • Famous Dave's Miller Road Flint has two:
    • $5 Burgers
    • Fame Grilled Cheese
Credit Google Street View
Credit Google Street View
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  • IHOP Miller Road Flint has two:
    • Super Mega Dilla (serves American & Mexican inspired food)
    • Thrilled Cheese (Grilled cheesy stuff)
Credit Google Street View
Credit Google Street View
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  • Leo's Coney Island (several locations around Genesee County). The 4151 Miller Road location has multiple ghost kitchens -- many show "closed" in the Door Dash app. 12 virtual breakfast-themed names seems like an example of trying to find a name that works?
    • House of Parm (pastas & Italian flavors)
    • Supreme Breakfast Sammies
    • B-Town Breakfast Sandwiches
    • Sully's Breakfast Sandwiches
    • Sunrise Breakfast Sandwiches
    • Neighborhood Cafe
    • Breakfast in Bed
    • Breakfast Spot
    • Baker Boy's Breakfast Sandwiches
    • Egghead Breakfast Burritos
    • Burro's Breakfast Burritos
    • Sunday Best Breakfast Sandwiches
    • Croissant Club
Credit: Google Street View
Credit: Google Street View
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  • Logan's Roadhouse Miller Road Flint has three:
    • Ember Smoked BBQ
    • Twisted Tenders
    • Leo's Italian Kitchen
Credit Google Street View
Credit Google Street View
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Why are ghost kitchens so popular?

  • During the height of the pandemic, it was an extra way to make money and keep businesses afloat. Now, everyone is getting into it. WingStop has "ThighStop." Denny's has Burger Den and Melt Down. According to CNBC Wendy's and Kroger are jumping in, soon.

If you ever get the desire to "sit down" at one of your go-to app restaurants, just remember, it only exists virtually.

These places do not have ghost kitchens around Mid-Michigan:

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