If you spend time checking out Doordash for meal delivery in Great Falls, you may have noticed a couple of new options: The Burger Den and The Meltdown.
If you’ve wondered why you have never heard of these “new restaurants” in Great Falls, that’s because they are not new restaurants in Great Falls – they are Denny’s.
If you scroll all the way down on the Doordash page for The Meltdown, you will see this statement: “Sandwiches delivered from The Meltdown at 3715 31st St SW, Great Falls, MT 59404, USA.” And that is the address for Denny’s up on the hill near the airport.
Same for The Burger Den: “Burgers delivered from The Burger Den at Denny’s, 3715 31st St SW, Great Falls, MT 59404, USA.”
There’s even a website for The Burger Den, which states: “The Burger Den is cookin’ up the classics you expect—and the crafty concoctions you don’t—and then partnering with your favorite delivery apps, so you never have to leave your couch. And since it’s brought to you by Denny’s, the people who invented America’s diner (and stay up as late as you do), you know you’re gonna find the tastes you want when you want it.”
And yes, there is also a site for The Meltdown, with the same explanation.
Some people might think it’s kind of shifty of Denny’s to do this, but Denny’s is far from alone in the increasingly-common practice.
This type of thing is sometimes referred to by several names – such as “virtual kitchens” – and while the definitions are a bit blurry, they are all designed to get people to order something that looks tasty who may not otherwise order from a known brand.
In large cities with hundreds of delivery options, of course, there are far more of these operations. Some notable examples include: Pasqually’s Pizza & Wings (Chuck E. Cheese); Neighborhood Wings (Applebee’s); and It’s Just Wings (Chili’s).
I am NOT saying you shouldn’t order from “The Burger Den” or from “The Meltdown” – (Denny’s burgers are pretty good!) – just know that what you are getting is coming from Denny’s.
