FLEMING ISLAND – Head to the northeast corner of Walmart, and you will find a hidden gem of a restaurant with a unique business model. Ghost Kitchens, a Canadian-based company that gives customers eight brand options.

Breakfast, chicken, burgers and cheesecake are several options available.

Manager Tessa Smith said convenience greatly affects the restaurant’s success. 

“I believe it’s extremely convenient. It’s nice being able to order from multiple locations at the same time. That’s the biggest thing that I’ve heard from customers is that they can order Cheesecake Factory and CaliBurger at the same time. It’s the best of both worlds,” Smith said.

The model is especially advantageous for a large family with hungry children.

“If you’ve got a family of five, and the kids are wanting chicken sandwiches and the parents are wanting a burger, you can get it all right here,” said assistant manager Devon Kirkland.

Ghost Kitchens has only occupied the space for three months but could expand to other Walmarts.

Most of the business is conducted through deliveries by DoorDash, but customers can also order inside the store and enjoy a myriad of options in the large, spacious and clean seating area.

“When you want a burger, you can hit the (burger button) and it will take you to all of our burgers, and if you want to check out each individual brand, you can do that too,” Kirkland said.

Customers can also order with a QR code.

The walls are currently blank, but Kirkland said this would change soon.

“The owners are debating on whether to have corporate put up some graphics or have something local, maybe have the schools do a competition. It’s all-time (dependent), he said.

Among brand options CaliBurger, Monster Cupcakes, Sam’s Crispy Chicken, Leaf Life, which serves salads, Umami Burger and Ghost Breakfast and Ghost Wings, two in-house brands created by the company.

There’s also Red Bull and many other sodas available.

Food is cooked fresh-to-order with locally-sourced ingredients in 10-15 minutes.

With endless options, making their pick can sometimes be challenging, but Kirkland recommends CaliBurger or Sam’s Crispy Chicken.

Although Ghost Kitchens is relatively new to the area, the company has tested some of its brand options. The diverse menu is up to interpretation, and Smith even said the company is open to customer recommendations.

Smith also said that the company is open to customer recommendations.

“If any guests or customers have any suggestions for us or something they would like to see on the menu, we are open to (those requests) 100%,” she said.

One idea has already been implemented.

“We have a couple of customers who wanted a cheaper menu, so we added a value menu with 99-cent hot dogs, corn nuggets, jalapeno poppers, (and more) – just a couple of side items. That way, the customer doesn’t have to spend as much money when they come in,” Smith said.

Other than their deliveries, the business relies on word-of-mouth marketing. But many customers are just learning about a restaurant that offers eight unique menus.

“I would say that everybody has loved it. I had a gentleman who came in and loved (the concept). It was him and his two kids. They got burgers, and he got a chicken sandwich. It was nothing crazy, but he was raving about it. He said, ‘I’m texting my wife right now,’” Kirkland said.

Kirkland is a big fan of the business model.

“Me, personally, I think it’s great. I’m glad to work where I do (due to) the amount of positive feedback we’ve gotten from the concept,” he said.

“Once this one is established, the owner wants to open this up in another Walmarts within 10 miles and rinse and repeat every eight to 10 months once business picks up.”

Jacksonville and other areas in Northeast Florida are possible spots for expansion.

“I had people from Argyle Forest stop by and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I wish I knew this was here and would love to (stop in) and eat, but I’ve got to go to the other side of town. I’d say in about one to two years, (Ghost Kitchens) will be everywhere,” he said.

To order from Ghost Kitchens, call (904) 592-7227 or download the DoorDash app, where three of the company’s brands are listed individually.