Operating a delivery-only food business has its challenges, especially when there isn’t much space in the kitchen. To combat those challenges, you can set up and run your business out of a cloud kitchen, also known as a virtual or ghost kitchen.
A cloud kitchen is a commercial kitchen space that allows entrepreneurs to make and prepare food for delivery or takeout. Cloud kitchens are unique because businesses can focus on offering delicious food without worrying about much overhead. Some cloud kitchens, like Revolving Kitchen, have fully equipped spaces and provide equipment servicing.
While virtual kitchens are innovative, you may have heard several myths about them. This article identifies four common cloud kitchen myths and facts that debunk them.
1. Cloud Kitchens Are Not as Clean as Brick-and-Mortar Restaurants
Every business and facility dealing with food must meet extremely high hygiene standards. It doesn’t matter whether the business operates out of a cloud kitchen or a Michelin-star restaurant. Before beginning operations, all food establishments must obtain certifications, licenses and permits that showcase they follow proper food safety and hygiene practices.
Additionally, every company receives regular inspections by state health and food professionals to ensure they continually follow the standards. Some areas may require a business to demonstrate how it follows the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles to regulate food safety.
Food safety and health standards were high, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused food policies to become even stricter. Food establishments had to take extra precautions to keep employees and guests safe. Many businesses implemented new regulations for workers to prevent the virus’s spread by following guidelines set by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Interim Guidance on Food Safety for Food Businesses.
No matter the type of commercial kitchen, workers should have access to hand sanitizer, cleaning and disinfectant supplies, and various personal protection equipment (PPE) like masks and disposable gloves. Many cloud kitchens may also have implemented body temperature checks.
With the high cleanliness and safety standards for all food establishments, cloud kitchens are just as clean as regular restaurants. Kitchen staff in cloud kitchens typically follow the same cleaning practices restaurants use. Meeting state and federal regulations ensures your food business continues operating.
Virtual Kitchens Lack Professionalism
A lack of professionalism is another virtual kitchen myth. However, the notion is far from true. Cloud kitchens are set up the same as any other professional kitchen. Alternative terms like “ghost” and “virtual” may cause people to misunderstand a cloud kitchen’s validity and professionalism, but they don’t reflect how beneficial the kitchen concept is for many entrepreneurs.
Many virtual kitchens have the highest standard equipment for businesses to use during operations. At Revolving Kitchen, our private cloud kitchens are modern and fully stocked with new, high-quality equipment. Each kitchen also has access to commercial freezers, coolers and expansive dry storage spaces. Cloud kitchens have lower overhead expenses than average kitchens, so owners often have the means to invest in quality tools and equipment for their members.
Supplying partners with the latest equipment helps them maintain the highest quality level for their food.
Additionally, tenants at cloud kitchens no longer have to handle administrative tasks. They can solely focus on their business. Virtual kitchens make it easier for food companies to stay on top of their growing delivery demands.
3. Ghost Kitchens Are Expensive, Especially at First
Another ghost kitchen myth is how expensive they are. Some believe initial cloud kitchen investments are high, but that’s not always the case. Depending on the facility, cloud kitchens may rent based on a monthly subscription. Some could even offer hourly rates. Revolving Kitchen has low and flat rates to help businesses get started.
Running a startup in a ghost kitchen is an excellent way to save money. Startup costs are lower because businesses renting space don’t have to deal with capital purchases, building construction, zoning compliances or building inspections.
Using a cloud kitchen also means lower overhead costs for food businesses. The facility owners handle the time-consuming and expensive administrative tasks while food businesses operate normally. Working out of a cloud kitchen saves costs and provides additional benefits, such as:
- The free range to experiment and explore new food ventures at a faster pace.
- The increased ability to expand and reach larger target audiences.
- The ability to sell to more delivery services.
The virtual kitchen concept provides lucrative possibilities to make a highly profitable delivery food business. With no front-of-house, you concentrate on creating a menu, stocking supplies, arranging delivery options and taking orders.
4. Cloud Kitchens Don’t Offer To-Go Food Options
Though delivery is common for food businesses in cloud kitchens, many also offer take-away food options. Some facilities allow companies to provide drive-thru or takeout services in addition to delivery. To create a business in a cloud kitchen that offers pickup, you must set up your kitchen in a way that’s visible to your customers.
Takeout is a significant contributor to restaurants’ revenue. In 2020, takeout orders were 63% of all orders. While the pandemic may have caused a boom in the popularity of take-away and delivery, the preference for ordering out to eat at home remains constant.
Businesses in cloud kitchens know the impact of to-go food options. Offering takeout lets restaurants serve more customers, leading to more revenue growth. Taking advantage of delivery and pickup services can benefit your cloud kitchen operation greatly.
Learn More About Cloud Kitchens
Now that we’ve debunked myths surrounding cloud kitchens, you better understand their purpose and advantages. If you’re interested in partnering with a cloud kitchen, consider Revolving Kitchen. Partnering with a virtual kitchen like ours allows you to rent a private, modern and turnkey commercial kitchen space to prepare quality dishes for delivery and takeout. Renting a cloud kitchen provides you with all the amenities needed for success at a lower cost than a traditional restaurant.
Revolving Kitchen offers commercial kitchen space in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. You’ll have the state-of-the-art equipment required for running and managing an efficient, successful delivery and takeout business. At Revolving Kitchen, you can rent a commercial kitchen space on a short- or long-term basis. Take advantage of the fully equipped private kitchens by renting space to open a new startup or expand your restaurant’s delivery strategy.
To learn more about cloud kitchens and our offerings, contact Revolving Kitchen today!
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