Uber Eats users shocked to find at least 14 food brands coming from one restaurant in Victoria's Berwick

13 hours ago

A single restaurant has been found hosting at least 14 different food brands on Uber Eats.
The brands — offering everything from Mexican and burgers to chicken and ice cream — all share the same address: 44 High Street, Berwick, in Victoria's southeast.
On Google Maps, the location appears to be home to a single restaurant called Burgur.
But on delivery apps, it hosts a long list of names: Mad Mexican, MAD TACO, BurgerFI, IN OUT BUNS, GOLD BUNS, Milky Bun, CHICKEN, WING WING, MELT SHOP, Milky Scoop, Ronys, Wrap'd, Mr. Chips Man and American Fri.
Many of the menus are nearly identical, often using the same photos, but with different prices for the same items.
Some locals hoping to try something new have been left frustrated, and the phenomenon has sparked heated discussion online.
'Ghost kitchens have gone too far,' one Reddit user posted.
'Ghost kitchens have existed for a long time on all food delivery platforms,' a comment replied.
A ghost kitchen is a food business that typically operates without a public shopfront, offering meals primarily through delivery apps.
They've grown in popularity over the past few years, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
One person shared that they were caught out three times before realising they'd been ordering from the same place each time.
'Ordered one of the worst burgers of my life. 'Won't buy from them again' I thought. Ordered from what I thought was a different burger joint a week or so later. Then watched as the driver collects from the same damn place (fool me once),' they said.
'Later had some terrible, tasteless, watery Indian food. Next time I ordered from what I thought was a different joint. Watched in dismay as the driver picks up at the same place, which was as terrible as the first (fool me twice).
'Once again ordered from what I thought was yet a different Indian place. The cry of pain when I see the driver stopping out the front of the first one (fool me thrice).'
They said they've since stopped using Uber Eats altogether.
Another person joked: 'We should all buy frozen meals from ALDI and open ghost kitchens.'
Some Reddit users reported submitting complaints about the practice, but said they saw no changes.
Uber Eats told 7NEWS.com.au the 14 virtual brands operating from 44 High Street are legitimate and compliant businesses.
'A virtual restaurant allows chefs and business owners to utilise the space they already have in their kitchens, to try cooking new cuisines and reach new customers with online-only brands,' a spokesperson said.
'Uber Eats gives restaurants across Australia the flexibility to choose how they partner with us, while continuing to meet our standard requirements and community guidelines.'
University of Sydney corporate law and insolvency professor Jason Harris said the practice does not breach Australian Consumer Law.
'A company can operate multiple businesses with multiple brands,' he told 7NEWS.com.au.
'All the different toothpaste brands are owned by the same company.'
7NEWS.com.au has reached out to Burgur for comment.