• Fired Pie will offer fast-Asian concept Wow Bao’s menu exclusively through third-party delivery services.
• The chain plans to add Wow Bao to four additional Fired Pie stores in the next 30 days and to 12 locations in the next three months.

Related: Welbilt ghost kitchens help restaurants expand in the pandemic

Phoenix-based fast-casual chain Fired Pie has launched a ghost kitchen operating out of two of its Fired Pie locations.

Fired Pie has brought fast-Asian street food-concept Wow Bao, based in Chicago, to Arizona, offering its fare exclusively through third-party delivery services, including Postmates, DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub. In a press release, the chain revealed plans to add Wow Bao to four additional Fired Pie stores in the next 30 days and to 12 locations in the next three months.

Prepared in Fired Pie’s kitchen, Wow Bao’s menu fuses centuries of tradition with modern Asian food. The brand sources sustainably raised, non-GMO, antibiotic and steroid-free proteins. Using the energy of steam, the dishes provide a healthy alternative to most fast-casual foods.

“Our customers have been turning to online ordering, takeout and third-party delivery during the pandemic, so we felt this was the perfect time to launch our ghost kitchen,” said Fired Pie Co-Owner Doug Doyle. “At Fired Pie, we offer our guests the highest quality ingredients possible, and Wow Bao’s menu aligned with our mission to continue to do that.”

The Wow Bao menu consists of pan-seared pot stickers, steamed dumplings and bao, a soft, fluffy dough filled with savory or sweet flavors. Also on the menu are a Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, Spicy Kung Pao Chicken Bowl and Orange Chicken Bowl. Bundles are available for order, including family and party deals featuring BBQ Berkshire Pork Bao, Spicy Mongolian Beef Bao, pan-seared Ginger Chicken Pot Stickers and Teriyaki Chicken Bowls.

“We are excited to align ourselves with a concept that has seen explosive new growth in the past year,” said Fired Pie Co-Owner Fred Morgan. “As the ghost restaurant trend continues to grow, we expect to continue to add virtual concepts to our local storefronts.”

This past year, Fired Pie also turned seven, celebrated its 20 Valley locations, and announced the opening of its newest concept, a fast-casual rapid online and carryout location in Phoenix. Unlike other Fired Pie locations, the new spot caters to those on the go, who are looking to receive customizable pizza, salad and mac-and-cheese dishes without the hassle of waiting in a line.

Fired Pie currently has 19 stores in Metro Phoenix and one in Tucson, Arizona.