Lanch bags $27M for a social media-skewed take on fast food

Lanch secures $27M to expand its influencer-driven fast food model in Germany.

: Lanch, a German startup, raised $27 million in a Series A round to expand its unique fast food model. The company leverages social media and influencers to develop and promote brands like Loco Chicken and Happy Slice Pizza. It plans to further its presence in Germany using a data-driven approach. Investors are drawn to Lanch's cost-efficient model and potential to scale.

Lanch, a Germany-based startup, recently closed a $27 million Series A funding round to expand its innovative fast food business model. Co-led by Felix and HV Capital, the round will support Lanch in using social media and influencers to develop popular food brands, such as Loco Chicken and Happy Slice Pizza, and distribute them through delivery services and supermarkets.

CEO Nono Konopka describes Lanch as a technology company due to its reliance on data from 350 ghost kitchens to drive decisions on brand development and location strategies. This data, paired with strategic partnerships with social media influencers, helps Lanch target market gaps and promote products cost-effectively, setting the company apart from other D2C food startups that faltered due to expensive marketing efforts.

While focusing on further growth in Germany, Lanch aims to become a significant player resembling Raising Cane's or Chick-fil-A. The startup notes that its products are well-known in Germany, supported by viral marketing campaigns and supermarket distribution, such as Happy Chips being available in over 10,000 stores. The combination of its data-driven strategy and lean marketing appeals to investors seeking scalable concepts.

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