TOKYO -- Low-cost virtual restaurants are opening across Asia, fueled by a multibillion-dollar boom in food delivery that has emboldened entrepreneur chefs daunted by the risk associated with going into business.
China, India, Japan and other countries in the region have seen a rise in these "ghost" restaurants, which have no storefronts and serve only by delivery. The high investment costs and failure rates associated with sit-down restaurants, as well as worker shortages, have made the takeout-only format increasingly attractive.
