food delivery platforms
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Ghost Kitchens Disguised as Chain Restaurants: Brokers Sell Setups for $250
Major food delivery platforms face systemic exploitation by shadowy brokers enabling unlicensed “phantom kitchens” to operate as legitimate chains, despite technological upgrades and subsidy-driven market competition. Third-party intermediaries charge fees to fraudulently register residential kitchens using fabricated licenses and brand affiliations, evading audits through master account loopholes. Operators append established brands with location tags while avoiding direct oversight, with brokers offering turnkey solutions including fake kitchen videos for platform verification. While claims of operational stability prevail absent major incidents, consumers remain unaware their orders originate from uninspected home kitchens. This gray-market ecosystem highlights vulnerabilities in platform governance and food safety controls.
