The Mexican-inspired restaurant group will open the venue on 12 April in Boxpark Croydon with a completely digital ordering system, which it says will be a test bed for future digital growth and development.
The move follows what the company says has been a huge shift towards online ordering, particularly during the pandemic. At the new Croydon restaurant guests will be able to order food via the Chilango’s new digital kiosks or in advance via its website. Orders can then be picked up through the designated pick up area.
The company first trialled digital screens at its London Wall restaurant back in 2019 and says the performance encouraged it to trial a restaurant with full digital only ordering.
“We are so excited to be exploring new ways to bring the Chilango experience to our guests,” says managing director Richard Franks. “This new style of restaurant opens up possibilities of different footprints for future openings and pipeline. Through digital ordering [customers] can still fully customise your burritos, boxes and salads as well as choose from a list of sides and drinks, which was so important for us.”
“Consumers are demanding more digital access than ever before so we’re constantly exploring new ways to enhance the experience for our customers. During lockdown delivery and online orders made a huge difference to our business and this will continue to be a key driver of our recovery and future growth strategy".
The company says it has benefited from the growing demand for home deliveries of food and opened three delivery kitchens during the lockdowns in Battersea, Blackwall Canary Wharf and Reading. It has also a Deliveroo Editions kitchen in Brighton.
Chilango was founded in 2007 and was bought by RD Capital Partners in 2020. It currently operates 10 restaurants across London and Manchester as well as four delivery kitchens.