WOWorks, the parent company of better-for-you restaurant brands Saladworks, Zoup and Frutta Bowls, has announced the launch of its new ghost kitchen platform, WOW Kitchens.

The new ghost kitchen will offer select menu items from WOWorks' fast casual brands and virtual concepts, as well as a hint of its future of shared kitchen models.

WOW Kitchens' first prototype will be opened in San Francisco through a strategic partnership with a local franchisee.

WOWorks CEO Kelly Roddy said: “Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants, WOW Kitchens foregoes seating areas, resulting in significantly lower overhead costs.

“By requiring less kitchen equipment and minimising back-of-the-house expenses, the concept provides potential franchise candidates with a highly attractive and cost-effective concept.

“Cloud Kitchens and Kitchen United, renowned leaders in leasing and sharing kitchen spaces, will provide the ideal platform for hosting WOW Kitchens.”

The move is part of WOWorks’ strategy to create a new standard in the restaurant industry by offering new growth opportunities for its existing franchise network.

In addition to its popular brands such as Saladworks, Frutta Bowls, Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh and The Simple Greek, WOW Kitchens will also offer menu items for convenient pick-up and delivery from WOWorks' virtual brands such as Soupworks, Stack'd Sandwiches, Toasty, Spoon Me, Sips, Titan Gyros, MacLove and Buddy V's Cake Slice.