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Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises opens Whole30-branded virtual restaurant

The delivery-only restaurant launched in collaboration with GrubHub

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

August 22, 2019

2 Min Read
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Lindsay Widdel

Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises — the Chicago-based, 130-unit restaurant group — has announced the opening of a Whole30-branded virtual restaurant in Chicago in partnership with Grubhub. The delivery-only restaurant, called Whole30 Delivered, offers Whole30 approved meals based on the trendy lifestyle diet that emphasizes whole foods and the elimination of temptations like added sugar and alcohol.

“We are thrilled to be working with two great organizations — Whole30 and Grubhub — in putting together what we think is a very different delivery-only concept,” R.J. Melman, Lettuce Entertain You’s president, told Nation’s Restaurant News. “We think Whole30 is a great step forward for delivery-only kitchens.” 

Whole30 Delivered menu items include grain, sugar, legumes and dairy-free recipes created in collaboration with LEYE chefs such as Thai chicken-coconut-curry soup, Melissa’s Buffalo Chicken Salad, "spaghetti and meatballs" made with spaghetti squash and chicken meatballs, and roasted chicken tikka masala for an average price of $5.95 for side dishes like cauliflower rice to $13.95-$22.95 for entrees.

"While we love teaching participants how to cook Whole30 meals at home, it's a game-changer to have accessible, compliant, fast options for busy days," Melissa Urban, co-founder and CEO of Whole30, said in a statement. "As a single mom and CEO, I'm already imagining how Whole30 Delivered could save the day with delicious, hearty meals when meetings run late or I'm traveling a lot."

Related:Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises and Eataly join plastic-straw ban

Dishes will be made in one of two ghost kitchens in the River North and Mid-North District neighborhoods in Chicago, and delivery is available from Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 3:30 to 9 p.m.

The virtual restaurants will also offer deals like a "dinner for tonight, lunch for tomorrow" promotion that provides a discount on ordering multiple meals at once.

Delivery and quick-service meals made with the Whole30 diet in mind are trending: Chipotle announced a new meal category in January for “lifestyle bowls” to promote burrito bowl options for customers following trendy diets, including the Whole30 diet.

Lettuce Entertain You confirmed that there are currently no further plans to expand the Whole30 Delivered concept to other cities.

Contact Joanna Fantozzi at [email protected]

Follow her on Twitter: @JoannaFantozzi 

About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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