Man Vs. Fries
Man Vs. Fries is a delivery-only virtual restaurant brand serving French fry-based meals through partner kitchens and third-party delivery platforms in 50+ US cities and internationally, operating since 2018 and acquired by Virtual Dining Concepts in 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Man Vs. Fries does
Man Vs. Fries is a delivery-first virtual restaurant brand founded in 2018 in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in French fry-based meals. It operates without brick-and-mortar locations, instead running its menu out of partner kitchens operated by restaurant chains including California Pizza Kitchen, TGI Friday's, On The Border, Friendly's, Casa Ole, and 7-Eleven/Laredo Taco. The brand is accessible to consumers through third-party delivery platforms — Uber Eats, DoorDash, Rappi, DiDi Food, and Order.online — and through direct online ordering powered by the Olo platform.
The business model is asset-light: Man Vs. Fries adds a delivery-native menu line into existing kitchen capacity, allowing partner operators to capture incremental ticket revenue (claimed $600+ daily profits per location, $34+ average order value) without real estate or front-of-house investment. In March 2024, the company was acquired by Virtual Dining Concepts, joining a portfolio of celebrity-driven virtual restaurant brands. The brand runs a sub-brand, Vegan vs Fries, in 20+ cities, and has a celebrity partnership with DJ Khaled via Another Wing.
By 2025 the brand's footprint spanned 50+ US cities plus Mexico, the UK, and Canada, supported by 11–50 employees under founder William Bonhorst. VDC has publicly stated that Man Vs. Fries generates more revenue per store than any other brand in its portfolio. No external funding rounds, revenue figures, or headcount growth metrics have been disclosed, leaving unit economics and scale largely inferential.
Man Vs. Fries firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Man Vs. Fries
- Legal name
- Virtual Dining Concepts, LLC
- Website
- https://manvsfries.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Man Vs. Fries is a delivery-only virtual restaurant brand serving French fry-based meals through partner kitchens and third-party delivery platforms in 50+ US cities and internationally, operating since 2018 and acquired by Virtual Dining Concepts in 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Man Vs. Fries industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Virtual Restaurant Food Service
- NAICS
- Limited-Service Restaurants (722513), Restaurants and Other Eating Places (72251)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating Places (5812), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Delivery-Only Restaurant Brands (No Dine-In) (THAFAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Single-Brand Virtual Restaurants (THAFAJAB), Restaurant Meal & Prepared Food Delivery (CRAFAFAB)
Keywords
Where Man Vs. Fries is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Man Vs. Fries business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Food Sales - Delivery & Pickup: Direct food sales to consumers through delivery orders (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Rappi, DiDi) and pickup orders from partner kitchen locations. Customers order via website or delivery platform apps.
- Partner Kitchen Revenue Share: Revenue generated from partner restaurant kitchens that host Man Vs. Fries operations. Partners earn up to $600+ daily profits with $34+ average order value.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Delivery/pickup orders with promotional discount |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Partner operator model |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Man Vs. Fries product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Man Vs. Fries is a delivery-first virtual restaurant brand that sells creative French fry-based meals — including loaded fries, fry-stuffed burritos, quesadillas, and battered desserts — prepared and served exclusively through partner restaurant kitchens (ghost kitchen model). The brand operates without brick-and-mortar locations, taking orders through its website and third-party delivery platforms (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Rappi, DiDi, Order.online) across 50+ cities in the US, plus Mexico, the UK, and Canada.
Product overview
Man Vs. Fries is a delivery-first virtual restaurant brand operated by Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC), known for creative French fry-based meals and giant fry-stuffed burritos. The company offers a portfolio of signature menu items centered around fries, including burritos (SoCal Burrito, NorCal Burrito, Cowgirl Burrito, CBR Burrito), the Cali Crunch, Hella-Dilla, Asada Fries, and desserts (OMG Cookies, Fried Cheesecake). The company also operates a vegan sub-brand called Vegan vs Fries. The brand operates through a pop-up shop model, partnering with existing restaurant kitchens (California Pizza Kitchen, On The Border, TGI Friday's, Casa Ole, and others) to prepare food for delivery-only orders. Orders are placed through various delivery platforms including DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Order.online.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Asada Fries (SoCal / NorCal) Signature loaded french fry dishes topped with savory toppings — SoCal version features carne asada or pollo asado; NorCal version features seasoned fries with cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and secret sauce. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers through partner kitchens.
- SoCal Burrito Large flour tortilla filled with carne asada or pollo asado, Cheetos Flamin' Hot, straight-cut fries, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and secret sauce, served with a side of queso. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers.
- NorCal Burrito Large flour tortilla filled with carne asada or pollo asado, straight-cut fries, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and secret sauce. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers.
- Cali Crunch Large flour tortilla filled with carne asada or pollo asado, crunchy tostada, lettuce, tomato, cheese, cilantro, onions, guacamole, and spiked ranch. Optional Cheetos Flamin' Hot chips for extra heat. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers.
- Cowgirl Burrito Large flour tortilla filled with carne asada or pollo asado, straight-cut fries, beer-battered onion rings, bacon, cheese, and smoky BBQ sauce. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers.
- Hella-Dilla Large flour tortilla filled with cheese, meat, fries, and sides including sour cream, guacamole, spiked ranch, and queso. Optional Cheetos Flamin' Hot or Doritos Flamin' Hot chips. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers.
- CBR Burrito Chicken, Bacon, Ranch wrapped in a large flour tortilla with straight-cut fries, cheese, and guacamole. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers.
- CBR Fries French fries topped with chicken, bacon, ranch, cheese, and guacamole. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers.
- OMG Cookies Four double-stuff Oreo cookies battered in Krusteaz sweet cream mix, topped with powdered sugar, and served with a side of chocolate. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers as a dessert.
- Man Vs Fried Cheesecake Rich NYC-style cheesecake with graham cracker crust, battered in Krusteaz sweet cream mix, topped with powdered sugar, and served with a side of chocolate. Sold to delivery and pickup consumers as a dessert.
- Vegan vs Fries Plant-based sub-brand of Man Vs. Fries bringing vegan comfort food versions of the brand's signature fry-based menu to delivery customers. Operates as a Black-owned vegan ghost kitchen in over 20 cities.
- Man Vs. Fries Virtual Restaurant / Ghost Kitchen Partnership Program Virtual restaurant brand licensed to existing restaurant operators who host Man Vs. Fries pop-up kitchens within their kitchens for delivery-only orders. Partners reportedly can earn up to $600+ daily profits with a $34+ average order value, with no fees to get started, full staff training provided, and the ability to begin receiving orders in less than 30 days.
Quantifiable outcome
- Generating more revenue per store than any other Virtual Dining Concepts brand
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Man Vs. Fries
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Man Vs. Fries technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature2 records
Man Vs. Fries partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.
- Virtual Dining ConceptscoreMan Vs. Fries was acquired by Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC) on March 18, 2024. VDC operates MrBeast Burger and other virtual restaurant brands. Robbie Earl is co-founder of VDC. The deal represents VDC's continued expansion of its portfolio of digital-only restaurant brands.
- California Pizza Kitchen (CPK)coreCalifornia Pizza Kitchen hosts Man Vs. Fries pop-up kitchens at numerous locations nationwide including Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Denver, Detroit, DMV area, Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Long Island, Louisville, Milwaukee, New Jersey, PA, Palm Desert, PDX, St. Louis, Sacramento, San Diego, and LA/OC areas.
- TGI Friday'smajorTGI Friday's hosts Man Vs. Fries pop-up kitchens at locations including Everett MA, Methuen MA, Brooklyn OH, Dover DE, and Newark DE.
- On The BordermajorOn The Border hosts Man Vs. Fries pop-up kitchens at locations across multiple states including Texas, North Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin.
- Friendly'smajorFriendly's hosts Man Vs. Fries pop-up kitchens at locations including Auburn MA, East Longmeadow MA, Leominster MA, Natick MA, Florida, Melbourne FL, New Jersey, Philadelphia area, Hartford, and Long Island.
- Casa OlemajorCasa Ole hosts Man Vs. Fries pop-up kitchens at locations across Texas including Bryan, Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur, Silsbee, Vidor, Pasadena, Conroe, Humble, Alvin, Dickinson, Temple, Victoria, and Louisiana.
- 7-Eleven / Laredo Tacomajor7-Eleven and Laredo Taco locations host Man Vs. Fries pop-up kitchens in Dallas, Prosper, and Houston areas.
- OlocoreOlo provides online ordering platform technology for Man Vs. Fries. Referenced in privacy policy as the payment processing partner for online orders.
- DJ Khaled / Another WingflagshipCelebrity chef DJ Khaled's ghost kitchen brand Another Wing partnered with Man Vs. Fries for collaborative Cheetos-crusted Crunchwrap products available nationwide.
- Vegan vs FriesminorPlant-based spin-off brand 'Vegan vs Fries' is a Black-owned vegan ghost kitchen operating in over 20 cities, bringing plant-based comfort food versions of the Man Vs. Fries menu.
- Uber EatscorePrimary delivery platform for Man Vs. Fries operations across US and UK markets.
- RappimajorLatin American delivery platform used for Mexico City operations (Polanco, Doctores, Del Valle, San Angel, Pedregal locations).
- DiDi FoodmajorLatin American delivery platform used for Mexico City operations.
- DoorDashcoreDelivery platform partner for Canada operations (Edmonton) and select US markets.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Man Vs. Fries competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BurgerFi: Better-burger fast-casual chain that has explored ghost kitchen extensions. Comparable as a broader casual-food brand competing for delivery occasions.
- TGI Friday's (Hospitality USA): Casual dining chain that hosts Man Vs. Fries pop-ups and is also facing industry headwinds. Comparable as both a partner channel and a competitor for casual delivery occasions.
- Brinker International (Chili's / On The Border): Owner of Chili's and a stakeholder in On The Border (a Man Vs. Fries partner). Comparable as a host chain whose kitchen capacity MVF monetizes.
Direct peers
- Wow Bao: Asian-inspired virtual restaurant concept offering bao, dumplings, and bowls through delivery apps and partner kitchens. Closely comparable as an early-stage single-brand virtual restaurant.
- MrBeast Burger: Virtual restaurant brand also owned by Virtual Dining Concepts (VDC) and operated through partner kitchens (e.g., Ghost Kitchens, BWW). Closest comparable on model, parent, and GTM.
- Salad and Go: Drive-thru and delivery-focused healthy fast-food chain with streamlined limited-menu model and strong digital ordering. Comparable on delivery-first, single-category focus approach.
- Pasqually's Pizza & Wings: Another VDC-owned ghost kitchen brand operating through partner restaurants (Chuck E. Cheese and others) with delivery-only positioning. Highly comparable as same-portfolio virtual brand.
Others
- Reef Technology: Large ghost kitchen and delivery logistics operator that ran/hosts multiple virtual restaurant brands. Comparable as infrastructure and partner in the virtual restaurant category.
- Kitchen United: Ghost kitchen facilities and infrastructure provider that hosts multiple virtual restaurant brands. Comparable as the infrastructure layer MVF relies on for fulfillment.
Regional players
- Wow Burger: Canadian-based delivery-focused burger brand with capital-light partnershop model. Comparable as a regional virtual/dark-kitchen operator focused on indulgence.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Man Vs. Fries social profiles
Digital presenceMan Vs. Fries compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Man Vs. Fries financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Man Vs. Fries leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Man Vs. Fries funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Man Vs. Fries M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Man Vs. Fries
What does Man Vs. Fries do?
Man Vs. Fries is a delivery-first virtual restaurant brand that sells creative French fry-based meals — including loaded fries, fry-stuffed burritos, quesadillas, and battered desserts — prepared and served exclusively through partner restaurant kitchens (ghost kitchen model). The brand operates without brick-and-mortar locations, taking orders through its website and third-party delivery platforms (Uber Eats, DoorDash, Rappi, DiDi, Order.online) across 50+ cities in the US, plus Mexico, the UK, and Canada.
Is Man Vs. Fries a public or private company?
Man Vs. Fries is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Man Vs. Fries founded?
Man Vs. Fries was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Man Vs. Fries based?
Man Vs. Fries is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Man Vs. Fries make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Food Sales - Delivery & Pickup is the primary driver. The others are partner Kitchen Revenue Share.
Who are Man Vs. Fries's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BurgerFi, TGI Friday's (Hospitality USA) and Brinker International (Chili's / On The Border). Direct peers are Wow Bao, MrBeast Burger, Salad and Go and Pasqually's Pizza & Wings. Others are Reef Technology and Kitchen United. Wow Burger is listed as a regional player.
Does Man Vs. Fries have an API?
No public API is recorded for Man Vs. Fries.
What industry is Man Vs. Fries in?
Man Vs. Fries's product category is Virtual Restaurant Food Service. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAFAJAC, Delivery-Only Restaurant Brands (No Dine-In), with a secondary code of THAFAJAB, Single-Brand Virtual Restaurants. Its NAICS code is 722513 and its SIC code is 5812.