Sizl Secures $3.5M Seed Funding to Revolutionize Fresh, Fast Food Delivery
A New Approach to Ghost Kitchens
Sizl, a Chicago-based cook-to-order delivery service, is challenging the negative perceptions surrounding ghost kitchens (also known as dark kitchens or cloud kitchens) by prioritizing fresh ingredients and quick service. The company recently announced a \(3.5 million seed funding round at a \)12 million post-money valuation, signaling strong investor confidence in its unique model.
What Sets Sizl Apart
Unlike traditional ghost kitchens that operate as shared spaces for multiple restaurants, Sizl distinguishes itself through:
- Dedicated Kitchens: Operates its own facilities with a team of Ukrainian chefs and local Chicago culinary talent
- Fresh, Local Ingredients: Sources meat and produce from local suppliers like Greensys Organic Farm (while also using major distributors)
- Specialized Menu: Focuses on Eastern European cuisine with 60 rotating items, including family recipes like borscht and syrniki
- In-House Delivery: Maintains its own couriers rather than relying solely on third-party services
Image Credits: Sizl
Addressing Ghost Kitchen Challenges
Ghost kitchens often face criticism for:
- Inconsistent food quality
- Over-reliance on third-party delivery apps
- Lack of culinary specialization
Sizl tackles these issues head-on with its fresh-ingredient promise and unique culinary focus. “Our target audience is health-conscious customers who want quality food quickly,” explains co-founder and COO Anastasia Kalinkina.
Tech-Driven Customer Engagement
The company has developed an innovative mobile app featuring:
- Gamification elements with collectible cards
- In-app currency (“mojis”)
- Mini-games for customer retention
- 3% cash back on all orders
Image Credits: Sizl
Experienced Founding Team
The Ukrainian-born founders bring valuable experience to the venture:
- Anastasia Kalinkina (COO)
- Alex Kolesnikov (CEO)
- Nick Delitski
- Kyrylo Kupin (CMO)
Their previous venture, Local Kitchen, reportedly achieved $46 million in annual revenue, demonstrating their ability to scale food service operations.
Growth and Expansion Plans
The seed round was led by Yellow Rocks! with participation from Kinetik and angel investors including Borzo co-founder Mike Alexandrovski. Funding will support:
- Opening 2-4 additional Chicago kitchens in 2025
- Potential expansion to Boston, Charlotte, and the San Francisco Bay Area
- Preparation for a Series A round planned for late 2025 or early 2026
Sizl’s approach represents an exciting evolution in the food delivery space, combining culinary authenticity with tech-driven convenience while addressing common pain points of ghost kitchen models.
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