Virtual Dining Concepts

Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC) is an American company specializing in virtual restaurants. It was founded in 2020 and has produced independent concepts as well as celebrity collaborations. In 2023, VDC was sued by American YouTuber MrBeast, alleging breach of conflict and failing to uphold the quality of virtual restaurant MrBeast Burger. VDC denied the allegations and counter-sued.

Virtual Dining Concepts
IndustryVirtual restaurants
Founded2020 (2020)
Founder
Headquarters
Orlando, Florida
,
United States
Key people
  • Stephanie Sollers (CEO)
  • Robert Earl (president)
Websitejoinvdc.com

History

VDC was co-founded by English-American businessman and Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl,[1] his son Robbie,[2] and Trish Giordano[3] in 2020. Its first CEO[4] and current president[5] was Robert Earl. In 2022, he was replaced as CEO with former DoorDash enterprise partnerships lead Stephanie Sollers.[6] Their headquarters are in Orlando, Florida, United States.[7]

Products

It has produced concepts such as Pardon My Cheesesteak, The Real HouseBowls, Buddy V's Cake Slice, Mariah's Cookies,[8] Wing Squad, P.Za Kitchen, Midtown Salads, and City Burger Co.[1] as well as celebrity collaborations such as FaZe Subs,[9] MrBeast Burger, Pauly D's Italian Subs,[10] Tyga Bites,[11] and NASCAR Refuel.[12]

MrBeast Burger lawsuit

On July 31, 2023, MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) filed suit against Virtual Dining Concepts for breach of contract and failing to uphold the quality of MrBeast Burger. Donaldson's complaint states his belief that the company behind his chain has failed to uphold the quality he so desired, alleging that Virtual Dining Concepts was more focused on its own growth than the quality of the venture's product, citing customers receiving the burger as "inedible", "revolting" and "the worst burger" they have ever tasted. The filing also stated that Virtual Dining Concepts trademarked Mr. Beast without the knowledge nor consent of Donaldson, and because of such, Donaldson has not received any monetary compensation from MrBeast Burger.[13][14][15]

Virtual Dining's lawyers quickly dismissed the complaints and alleged that Donaldson's allegations are "riddled with false statements and inaccuracies", noting that Donaldson recently attempted to negotiate a new contract with Virtual Dining. The firm, represented by Greenberg Traurig, further claims that Donaldson used "bullying tactics" in order to escape from his existing contractual obligations without sensible reasoning. Virtual Dining "had hoped Mr. Donaldson would act honorably", but said he had "elevated greed over his word and the truth", and that he "will face the consequences in court when [Virtual Dining] files it [sic] claims against him". The case will be heard in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, with no judge assigned as of yet.[16][17][18]

References
  1. "Planet Hollywood founder Robert Earl builds virtual restaurant empire of delivery-only brands". Restaurant Hospitality. 31 January 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  2. Carman, Tim (18 February 2021). "Guy Fieri's new chain of virtual kitchens aims to help independent restaurants — but will compete with them, too". The Washington Post. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. "About". Virtual Dining Concepts. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  4. Bitter, Alex. "You can now order from MrBeast Burger through your Xbox while gaming — here's how to do it". Business Insider. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  5. "Robbie Earl - President & VDC Co-Founder at Virtual Dining Concepts". THE ORG. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  6. Guszkowski, Joe. "Company behind MrBeast Burger hires Stephanie Sollers as 1st CEO". Restaurant Business. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  7. "Virtual Dining Concepts – Moments beyond food, Delivered". Virtual Dining Concepts. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  8. "VDC brands". VDC. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  9. "FaZe Clan, Virtual Dining Concepts Create Sandwich Brand | QSR magazine". www.qsrmagazine.com. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  10. Guszkowski, Joe. "'Jersey Shore' star Pauly D is latest celeb with a virtual concept". Restaurant Business. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  11. "Robert Earl launches Tyga Bites, first in a series of celebrity-fueled virtual restaurant brands". Nation's Restaurant News. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  12. "NASCAR Refuel Wings". Virtual Dining Concepts. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  13. "YouTuber Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson sues company that developed his burgers - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  14. Heil, Emily (1 August 2023). "YouTube star MrBeast sues ghost kitchen partner over 'inedible' food". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  15. Rosenblatt, Kalhan (31 July 2023). "MrBeast sues his food delivery partner over 'low quality' food". NBC News. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  16. Maruf, Ramishah (2 August 2023). "MrBeast sues to shut down the ghost kitchen-produced MrBeast Burger". CNN. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  17. "MrBeast sues food company over 'revolting' burger". BBC News. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  18. "VDC response to MrBeast". DocumentCloud. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
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