Commercial kitchens built for delivery

Opening a commercial kitchen involves meeting various requirements that differ based on location, building status, and kitchen type. At a minimum, you will need:

• A business license.
• A food service permit from the local health department.
• Proper zoning and building permits.
• Passing grades on all relevant inspections.

With CloudKitchens, you gain expert assistance navigating the complex permitting, licensing, and inspection processes. Most of the work is already done, including safety and health inspections, making it easier for you to start your business.

A ghost kitchen is a professional kitchen designed to serve a delivery-only customer base. Ghost kitchens lack dining rooms, public-facing signage, and storefront space. They are also known as "dark kitchens."

CloudKitchens’ shared-use modular kitchen facilities simplify the process of opening a delivery-only business. We offer dedicated facilities, onsite staff for fulfillment and maintenance, and proprietary technology that streamlines operations, providing entrepreneurs with professionally equipped cooking and storage space without the need for a traditional setup.

Starting with CloudKitchens for a commercial kitchen rental typically requires an investment of around $30,000. With this setup, you and your team (usually 4-6 people) can keep costs low while focusing on creating your menu and brand identity.

Commercial kitchens have the potential to be highly profitable due to their lower overhead costs. Profitability depends on factors such as location, branding, and operating systems.

Operating a commercial kitchen allows restaurant owners to serve a wider clientele while minimizing overhead costs. It also provides the flexibility to test new menus or even launch new restaurant concepts within the same space.

The cost of opening and operating a commercial kitchen varies. With CloudKitchens, you can get your ghost kitchen running with an investment as low as $30,000, significantly lower than the average $1 million required for a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant.

Opening a commercial kitchen can cost between $40,000 to $200,000, depending on various factors such as:

• Location: Densely populated areas generally have higher costs.
• Leasing vs. Buying: Leasing is typically cheaper than buying, which can require a substantial deposit.
• Equipment: Costs vary based on the required equipment for your cuisine type. Savings can be found by using pre-owned equipment.
• Licenses and Permits: Costs and types vary by location.

The cost of commercial kitchen equipment and services (ex: equipment installation, planned maintenance, equipment repair, etc.) will vary based on the concept and cuisine type you are planning to launch with your commercial kitchen. You must plan accordingly and factor in equipment like an ice maker, deep fryer,  convection oven, steam table, stove, etc.

The total square footage of the commercial kitchen space will determine the overall cost as well.

To ensure your commercial kitchen's success, follow these steps:

First, obtain the required Food Handler Card and necessary licenses to comply with local codes. Ensure your kitchen space complies with local food safety practices. Once your kitchen is up and running, market it on top delivery apps like Grubhub, DoorDash, and Uber Eats to maximize visibility. Promotions such as BOGO or Sponsored Listings can boost your restaurant's visibility on these platforms.

To start, you should have at least 3 to 5 back-of-house staff members to handle cooking and prep work. A commercial kitchen can help reduce labor costs by requiring only back-of-house staff and streamlining operations to prepare more delivery orders with less overhead.

CloudKitchens provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for launching and operating a commercial kitchen, helping you focus on growing your food business.