Keatz

Keatz, a Berlin-based food technology firm, was established in 2016 by founders Paul Gebhardt and Dimitrios Ploutarchos. The company entered the burgeoning cloud kitchen market, also known as ghost kitchens, by developing and operating a portfolio of virtual restaurant brands. These brands were accessible exclusively through major food delivery platforms such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats, catering to the growing consumer demand for convenient, delivery-first dining experiences. The business model focused on creating a variety of culinary concepts, from Thai and Hawaiian to Italian, all prepared in centralized, delivery-optimized kitchen facilities. This approach allowed for operational efficiencies and the ability to rapidly adapt to changing consumer tastes by launching new virtual brands with minimal overhead.

The company's journey included significant financial milestones, securing a €7 million Series A funding round in 2018, which was followed by a €12 million Series B round in 2019, bringing its total funding to approximately €23 million. These capital injections fueled its expansion across Europe, with operations in Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. Keatz's strategy involved meticulously designing every aspect of the meal for delivery, from recipe formulation and cooking processes to the selection of appropriate packaging to ensure food quality upon arrival. Despite its initial growth and expansion, the company faced challenges and ultimately filed for bankruptcy, with its assets and brand rights being acquired by the Spanish delivery company Glovo in 2021.

Keywords: cloud kitchen, virtual restaurants, food delivery, food-tech, ghost kitchen, online food ordering, restaurant brands, delivery-only, culinary concepts, food packaging