Retired NBA superstar Dwyane Wade and his longtime Miami Heat teammate Udonis Haslem are getting into the virtual restaurant game.
The pair are launching D. Wade Burgers and UD Wings in partnership with Combo Kitchen, a company that connects restaurants with online-only versions of other brands that can be produced for delivery and takeout.
Like other virtual brands, these two are banking on the three-time NBA champions' name recognition to attract customers.
"Adding their choice of star-power—Dwyane Wade or Udonis Haslem—is more than a win, it’s an operator’s dream come true," said Hossein Kasmai, founder and CEO of Combo Kitchen, in a statement.
D. Wade Burgers will offer five burgers created by Wade and his personal chef Richard Ingraham. The burgers are made with fresh, never-frozen 4-ounce Angus beef patties that are doubled up and topped with a variety of vegetables and sauces.
UD Wings offers crispy tenders, boneless tenders and winglets that can be paired with 11 sauces, two rubs and four dips.
Combo Kitchens is working with Sysco and Kraft/Heinz for the brands' ingredients and sauces, respectively.
D. Wade and UD will join Combo's roster of nearly 30 other brands that include well-known chains like Dickey's Barbecue Pit and Saladworks as well as small local brands and virtual concepts. Restaurants can partner with Combo to bring any of those into their own restaurants with the goal of adding a new revenue stream.
Its website lists about 70 restaurants across the country that are using Combo Kitchen brands.
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