Cannabis is having a moment, and celebrity weed-enthusiast Cheech Marin, of ‘Cheech & Chong’ fame is taking full advantage. Marin has teamed up with award-winning chef Zach Neil to launch Muncheechos, a nationwide, virtual brand catering to stoners run out of ghost kitchens.
The humble marijuana plant – which has been used medicinally, ritually and recreationally for millennia— is, perhaps, more popular than ever. Sure, the 70s happened. But it was a different time. As popular as weed was, it was illegal and considered part of the ‘counterculture’ movement (of which Marin was arguably king).
Today, the recreational use of cannabis is legalized in 18 states, federal legislation is imminent. In July, market research firm Headset, projected the cannabis market will exceed $30 billion in sales by 2023.
Despite the existence of Taco Bell, Muncheechos claims to be the first brand to specifically offer “stoner food”, with stoners in mind. Their eclectic menu reads like a stoner’s dream, complete with punny names like ‘Dope Dumplings’, chicken and scallion-stuffed fried dumplings, ‘Muncheechos Munchachos’, decadent BBQ chicken mac and cheese nachos, and ‘The Hybrid’, a salty and sweet grilled cheese with Gouda, brie, cheddar, gruyere, sliced apple and a salted caramel drizzle. They will also offer CBD-infused edibles and a selection of vegan options.
Muncheechos is a delivery-only virtual brand. All of their food is produced in ghost kitchens and delivered straight to customers’ doors. According to the brand’s press release, demand for delivery has spiked 8,000% over the last year.
Independent operators should take note. Muncheechos is taking advantage of four massively popular F&B trends: the post-Covid ‘homebody economy,’ the rapidly expanding delivery market, premiumization and, of course, cannabis. Beyond that, ghost kitchens are highly optimized operations. Their menus are the result of careful local research – literally created to have mass appeal for a delivery-centric audience. Keep an eye on what they’re serving, you might get inspired to add something new to your menu (just make sure it resonates with your audience and brand).
For a preview menu, please click here .Please visit the instagram @muncheechos to check out the brand
More about Zach Neil
Zach Neil is a self-made American entrepreneur, motivator, pop culture expert, musician, best-selling author, chef and highly regarded business advisor. Neil owns or is invested in 28 diverse businesses such as restaurants, beauty brands, tech platforms and more. He has been featured multiple times on the Food Network as well as Good Day New York, Forbes, Cheddar, Watch What Happens Live, MSNBC, ABC World News, and has graced the pages of Maxim, Time, People, Esquire, Rolling Stone, and many others. Investor and creator of over 35 businesses, Zach has gained additional notoriety through his popular experiential entertainment programs and pop-up dining and drinking experiences.
More about Cheech Marin
Best known as one half of the hilariously irreverent, satirical, counter-culture, no-holds-barred duo Cheech and Chong (now on tour), Cheech Marin is a paradox in the world of entertainment. Cheech is an actor, director, writer, musician, art collector, and humanitarian, a man who has enough talent, humor, and intelligence to do just about anything. To this day, Cheech and Chong films remain the number one weekend video rentals, and Cheech is widely acknowledged as a cultural icon. Cheech’s long-awaited memoir entitled Cheech is Not My Real Name…But Don’t Call Me Chong! was released in 2017.
