CloudChefs launches COVID-19 restaurant relief program

July 14, 2020, Toronto, Ont. – CloudChefs, a virtual restaurant company, is on a mission to help local foodservice establishments take on the challenge of reviving sales in a post-COVID era.

The team at CloudChefs is working to transform local restaurants into virtual restaurant hubs without affecting theircurrent operations.

“We saw restaurants suffering from the decrease in foot traffic at an alarming rate and wanted to help,” says Ahmed Shuaib, one of the company’s partners. “It would be a total economic disaster if so many small and mid-sized businesses that are foundational to the economy and the livelihood of so many families were to fail.”

According to a recent survey by Restaurants Canada, one in 10 restaurants have closed since COVID-19 began, and that number is expected to double in the near future.

“Restaurants need to realize that the old business model of generating revenue primarily through dine-in no longer exists,” says Aly Karmali, a partner in the business. “As restrictions ease, restaurants will be able to generate part of their income through traditional means, however, this will have to be accompanied by other revenue-generating streams in order to turn a profit. The problem, however, is that such changes usually require substantial costs, inherent risks and, ultimately, venturing into the unknown.”

Shuaib (tech) and Aly Karmali (foodie) partnered up to leverage on both their areas of expertise in digital marketing and food preparation to start building out virtual kitchens across Ontario. Within a few months, they successfully built a number of virtual restaurant brands with additional brands being rolled out monthly.

CloudChefs is also supported by Samick’s Foods Inc. – a fully functioning production facility that already serves to support major restaurant brands within Canada and the U.S.

What started as an opportunity to test a new concept has now shifted to helping restaurants survive economically through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is our chance to help the restaurants we hold dear to our hearts make it through these tough times,” says Karmali. “It’s not about money, it’s about compassion and helping family-owned businesses survive.”

In an effort to breathe some life into the struggling restaurant industry, CloudChefs is offering its menus and brands to restaurants in need of an immediate boost in sales. The established brands are available at no cost and include support in marketing, inventory, hands-on training, and complete setup and management across multiple takeout delivery platforms.

All that is required of the owner is to have a proper physical location, two or more staff on hand, along with basic storage and cooking equipment.

Restaurant owners can click here to fill out a form to see if they qualify.