Dark Kitchens. They sound a bit scary, don\u2019t they? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And there\u2019s a reason for that. Because they aren\u2019t somewhere that you or I can go. Instead, they\u2019re used as an extension of a restaurant\u2019s kitchen or, in some cases, as the sole kitchen for delivery-only food orders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dark Kitchens are the most popular way to produce delivery-only food. And with the rise in demand and convenience of takeaway food we\u2019re betting they\u2019ll become commonplace across many high streets in 2021. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also known as cloud, virtual, ghost and satellite kitchens, Dark Kitchens are everywhere in the UK, not just the Capital. And with high-street retailers beginning to fade and move online, more of them could end up taking their unused real-estate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By sharing the same space with other restauranteurs, Dark Kitchens will save business owners money on communal utilities. Think lighting, air conditioning, washrooms and security. Plus, they\u2019ll also be cheaper on your monthly rental costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Costs for operators in these facilities can be 30% less than traditional premises.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
And we can thank Deliveroo Editions<\/a> for pioneering this approach. Also known as \u2018Rooboxes\u2019, Deliveroo is running approx. 16 \u2018Editions\u2019 sites across the UK and 32 worldwide. And each site houses around 100 Dark Kitchens. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSo what exactly goes on in a Dark Kitchen? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Imagine a floor of space divided by glass windows and cubicles. A different style of food prepared in each cubicle – from pizza to curry, burgers to nachos, Thai food to Turkish. Several Dark Kitchens run under the same roof while focusing on producing high-quality food for each business. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd what are the benefits of Dark Kitchens? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cost Savings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
According to London-based Karma Kitchens\u2019 co-founder Eccie Newton<\/a>:
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n