what is a cloud kitchen

A cloud kitchen, also known as a ghost kitchen or virtual kitchen, is a commercial kitchen space that provides food businesses with the facilities and services needed to prepare menu items for delivery and takeout. Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar locations, cloud kitchens allow food businesses to create and deliver food products with minimal overhead. Cloud kitchens are delivery-only restaurants without dining areas for customers and have no physical storefront, operating behind the scenes and out of sight. They are centralized licensed commercial food production facilities where multiple restaurants rent space to prepare food for delivery-optimized menu items. Cloud kitchens can be shared spaces, where multiple businesses use the same facilities, or dedicated spaces rented or purchased by a single brand for their exclusive use. They are also used to launch entirely new business concepts or virtual brands, allowing businesses to test new ideas without heavy investment. Cloud kitchens are a response to the changing landscape of the food industry, offering a low-risk, low-capital solution for food businesses to adapt to the increasing demand for delivery and takeout services.