Dark kitchen as a business model
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2025 8:18 am
When we talk about a dark kitchen business model , we are specifically referring to the type of company that only cooks food to sell at home or to take away, relying on the internet or apps.
Dark kitchen as an establishment
When we talk about a dark kitchen , we are talking about the physical location that functions as the headquarters of a business of this type. This space can be a rented location or the home of the business owner.
So, to summarize, a dark kitchen can refer to both the business model and the physical premises that this type of business occupies.
Chef prepares delivery of pizza boxes as an example of a dark kitchen.
How does a dark kitchen work?
We can explain how a dark kitchen works in 5 steps:
A user uses the online store or a delivery phone data application to place an order from an online food business.
The business receives the order and sends it to the person in charge of the kitchen ( dark kitchen ).
The kitchen staff prepares all the food ordered to be sent to the customer.
A delivery person from the business, or one who works for the delivery app , picks up the order to take it to the customer's home.
The customer receives the order he requested.
In practice and depending on the business, some things may change - such as the order being received directly by the chef in the kitchen or the customer picking up their order at the business address - but this is the basic operation of a dark kitchen .
In addition, depending on the type of premises where the kitchen is installed, we have three different places to locate a virtual kitchen :
A home or place owned by the owner of the dark kitchen .
A rental space that the owner of the dark kitchen rents to install his kitchen and utensils.
A rental space, with kitchen and utensils included, which the owner of the dark kitchen rents out in full.
Boost your brand by creating your own online store.
How does a dark kitchen benefit my food business?
Depending on the size, location, captive customers and even the type of food, a dark kitchen can have advantages and disadvantages for your business. We explain each group separately.
Main advantages of a dark kitchen
Lower investment to start : opening a business of this type has a significantly lower cost than that of a full restaurant, since you only need, literally, a kitchen - which can be your own or rented.
Higher profit margin : While a conventional restaurant may have a profit margin of between 5 and 8%, a dark kitchen can reach 20% profit or even exceed it.
Space saving : A business of this type that is just starting out does not require a lot of space to prepare food intended for delivery . Many businesses of this type are born in the kitchens of their owners' homes.
Ideal location : A food business is not always located in an area with a high demand for home-delivered food. A dark kitchen solves this problem when a space is rented in an area with a high rate of orders.
Greater operational focus : The money saved by the low cost of physical space can be used on more staff, specialized cooks who expand the menu, or on delivery people who make deliveries more efficient.
Delivery man delivers order that comes from a dark kitchen.
Main disadvantages of a dark kitchen
Rent payment : whether you only pay the rent for the premises or a place with a fully equipped kitchen, it will be a cost that you will have to absorb and that will undoubtedly reduce your profit margin. This is added to the fixed costs of a food business (electricity, gas, water, etc.).
Physical location susceptible to seasonal fluctuations : a dark kitchen whose majority of customers come from offices, for example, will have low sales during weekends, vacation periods, or holidays.
Unfriendly opening location for doing business : Your home may have the perfect space to be your virtual kitchen , but your address may not be located near a high-demand delivery area , a fact that will increase delivery drivers' fees or even reduce your sales.
Constant exposure of customers to your competition in apps : When your kitchen coexists in delivery apps , your customers are subject to always having visibility of businesses with more options or more aggressive prices.
Lack of direct contact with customers : One of the main advantages of a dark kitchen is also its weakness; without chairs and tables, customers who want to eat outside their home or office will not necessarily come to your business. And unless you have your own online store , contact with them will always be triangulated through apps, which will make it difficult to generate closeness and loyalty.
Dark kitchen as an establishment
When we talk about a dark kitchen , we are talking about the physical location that functions as the headquarters of a business of this type. This space can be a rented location or the home of the business owner.
So, to summarize, a dark kitchen can refer to both the business model and the physical premises that this type of business occupies.
Chef prepares delivery of pizza boxes as an example of a dark kitchen.
How does a dark kitchen work?
We can explain how a dark kitchen works in 5 steps:
A user uses the online store or a delivery phone data application to place an order from an online food business.
The business receives the order and sends it to the person in charge of the kitchen ( dark kitchen ).
The kitchen staff prepares all the food ordered to be sent to the customer.
A delivery person from the business, or one who works for the delivery app , picks up the order to take it to the customer's home.
The customer receives the order he requested.
In practice and depending on the business, some things may change - such as the order being received directly by the chef in the kitchen or the customer picking up their order at the business address - but this is the basic operation of a dark kitchen .
In addition, depending on the type of premises where the kitchen is installed, we have three different places to locate a virtual kitchen :
A home or place owned by the owner of the dark kitchen .
A rental space that the owner of the dark kitchen rents to install his kitchen and utensils.
A rental space, with kitchen and utensils included, which the owner of the dark kitchen rents out in full.
Boost your brand by creating your own online store.
How does a dark kitchen benefit my food business?
Depending on the size, location, captive customers and even the type of food, a dark kitchen can have advantages and disadvantages for your business. We explain each group separately.
Main advantages of a dark kitchen
Lower investment to start : opening a business of this type has a significantly lower cost than that of a full restaurant, since you only need, literally, a kitchen - which can be your own or rented.
Higher profit margin : While a conventional restaurant may have a profit margin of between 5 and 8%, a dark kitchen can reach 20% profit or even exceed it.
Space saving : A business of this type that is just starting out does not require a lot of space to prepare food intended for delivery . Many businesses of this type are born in the kitchens of their owners' homes.
Ideal location : A food business is not always located in an area with a high demand for home-delivered food. A dark kitchen solves this problem when a space is rented in an area with a high rate of orders.
Greater operational focus : The money saved by the low cost of physical space can be used on more staff, specialized cooks who expand the menu, or on delivery people who make deliveries more efficient.
Delivery man delivers order that comes from a dark kitchen.
Main disadvantages of a dark kitchen
Rent payment : whether you only pay the rent for the premises or a place with a fully equipped kitchen, it will be a cost that you will have to absorb and that will undoubtedly reduce your profit margin. This is added to the fixed costs of a food business (electricity, gas, water, etc.).
Physical location susceptible to seasonal fluctuations : a dark kitchen whose majority of customers come from offices, for example, will have low sales during weekends, vacation periods, or holidays.
Unfriendly opening location for doing business : Your home may have the perfect space to be your virtual kitchen , but your address may not be located near a high-demand delivery area , a fact that will increase delivery drivers' fees or even reduce your sales.
Constant exposure of customers to your competition in apps : When your kitchen coexists in delivery apps , your customers are subject to always having visibility of businesses with more options or more aggressive prices.
Lack of direct contact with customers : One of the main advantages of a dark kitchen is also its weakness; without chairs and tables, customers who want to eat outside their home or office will not necessarily come to your business. And unless you have your own online store , contact with them will always be triangulated through apps, which will make it difficult to generate closeness and loyalty.