Franklin Junction continues to redefine how under-utilized kitchens generate revenue, operating at the intersection of virtual brands, host kitchens, and operational efficiency. We sat down with CEO Rishi Nigam to explore how the company’s model has expanded, the value it creates for both operators and brands, and how technology partners like Stream help power their growth.
Mission & Evolution
Stream: You founded Franklin Junction to help restaurants unlock under-utilised kitchens and grow delivery-only brands. What inspired that mission, and how has Franklin Junction’s vision evolved since you started?
RN: Our mission remains the same and has actually grown beyond restaurants to make our Host Kitchen® solution available for hotels, convenience stores, grocery stores, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, college dining halls, and even airports. It’s exciting to see Franklin Junction resonate with different venues beyond the traditional restaurant setting. Even on the virtual brand side, we have engaged with a variety of CPG partners as well as international concepts who are trying to breakthrough to US restaurant customers.
Host Kitchen Value
Stream: Operating a “Host Kitchen” model (rather than traditional ghost kitchens) is a distinctive approach in the industry. How does Franklin Junction’s model create value for both kitchen operators and brand partners, and what role does operational excellence play?
RN: In our model, restaurant operators are using existing equipment, staff, and underutilized resources so they are not deploying any new capital to add the incremental revenue opportunity we bring. It’s the same for brand partners, they are able to license their concept to us and expand geographic reach through our Host Kitchen® network. This model of efficiency allows kitchens, brands, and us to all make profit from the first dollar so it is truly a profit-driven solution.
Seamless Connectivity
Stream: Stream powers real-time connectivity for menu syncing, order routing, and POS integrations across your host-kitchen network. How has integrating with Stream helped Franklin Junction simplify operations and scale more efficiently?
RN: Stream has been a great partner for us to unlock easy integrations and reliable connectivity for our restaurants’ POS systems to the 3rd party marketplaces. We have very rigorous standards for our tech partners at Franklin Junction and Stream has proven to be a dependable source of this point solution. One thing that I really believe sets Stream apart is that they focus on their area of expertise, the capabilities you mentioned, rather than being distracted by the buzzword of the month.
Real-World Impact
Stream: Can you share a story on how one of your partners have seen operational impacts since incorporating Stream?
RN: Our partners at Romano’s Macaroni Grill have a point of sale system that was not capable of ingesting orders from multiple brands so we were able to help them by implementing Stream as a menu manager and order aggregator. This prevented the need for any additional third-party hardware in their restaurants while solving for the addition of a handful of virtual brands to their restaurant locations.
Looking Ahead
Stream: Looking ahead: the food-service and delivery ecosystem keeps changing. What’s next for Franklin Junction, and how do you see technology partnerships (such as Stream) supporting your roadmap for growth, new geographies or new concepts?
RN: We have previously operated in UK, Europe, and Asia and we expect to return to these international markets in the near future. Stream’s continued growth outside the US has given us confidence that we will have a known partner whom we can work with as Franklin Junction continues to grow in to a global company.
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Stream makes menu and order management seamless by keeping every item, modifier, price, and order flow in real-time sync across third-party delivery, in-store, and digital channels. Our integration platform can be fully white-labeled, giving partners the ability to deliver a unified solution under their own brand while eliminating manual work and disconnected tools behind the scenes. If you’re looking to simplify operations and power connected experiences, reach out - we’d love to help.
