Whether you call them ghost kitchens or virtual restaurants, hoteliers hobbled by COVID-19 are well positioned to set up delivery-only food services-relatively low-investment businesses that are expected to flourish well beyond the pandemic.

Even before the pandemic, a report by market research firm Euromonitor International was predicting big things for these delivery-centric meal services, whether they're provided by hotels, restaurants, or new operators. As recently as July 2020, Euromonitor was predicting this sector could grow as large as $1 trillion globally by 2030, as digital savvy consumers embrace the convenience of dining at home.