When you start a food business, just like every entrepreneur, you want to make wise decisions. When it comes to growing your business, one of the first things you need to do is decide if you should have your own kitchen vs. commissary kitchen. While having your own kitchen is a good investment for the future, commissary kitchens may be a good start with all-ready equipment. If you are uncertain about which one to choose, keep reading the comparison of having your own kitchen versus using a commissary kitchen, with all their pros and cons. A kitchen commissary acts as a pivotal resource for budding food enterprises, offering a fully equipped space that can significantly reduce initial overhead costs.
Having your own kitchen
Advantages
Cost: Having your own kitchen may be more reasonable for your budget if you keep it small and neat.
Closeness: If you plan to serve your customers more quickly, having your own kitchen inside your business building may be better for you in terms of closeness. You can cook and serve your customers quickly.
Equipment: You will own whatever equipment you have if you use your own kitchen.
Storage: You can allocate the space of your kitchen however you want. You can have more storage if you wish.
Disadvantages
Cost: If you really want to have a large kitchen, having your own kitchen will cost more. You will have to take care of all the extra bills like electricity, contractors, security, sewage, and pest control.
Equipment: You will have to pay for everything in your kitchen.
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Commissary Kitchens
Advantages
Cost:Commissary kitchens may be a cheaper solution according to your business type. Usually, commissary kitchens offer different plans. You may find one that costs less than having your own kitchen. Also, you will avoid extra bills like electricity, contractors, security, sewage, pest control, building codes, and more. Dive into the advantages of finding a suitable commissary kitchen, the essential guide for culinary entrepreneurs aiming for cost-effective success.
Equipment: Most commissary kitchens have all the necessary equipment you need. Some offer greater variability, which can increase the rental price, though.
Network: Commissary kitchens offer not only a place to cook but also a network family, including chefs, food producers, caterers, and business owners. You may exchange ideas with these professionals to grow your business.
Licenses: Commissary kitchens also make it easier to stay compliant. You avoid such workloads if you use a commissary kitchen.
Additional Services:Some shared kitchens offer other services like incubator programs, additional courses, and events for startups.
Parking:If you are running a food truck, some commissary kitchens offer parking spaces. You may also benefit from such extras.
Disadvantages
Cost: Commissary kitchens may not be the best investment in the long term. Commissary kitchen costs depends on the location for sure, but averagely, it costs around $15-$35 per hour to rent a commissary kitchen. After considering the costs and deciding to rent a kitchen, the question becomes, how to handle delivery logistics now that you’ve secured a commissary kitchen space?
Equipment: It may be a good idea to start with a commissary kitchen to get rid of all the costs of professional kitchen equipment. However, it is definitely more advantageous to buy your own equipment instead of using the commissary kitchen’s equipment when your business grows enough. You may think of it as an investment.
Location: Most commissary kitchens are located outside the city center to reduce their costs. So commissary kitchens may be far from your business center. This would be a disadvantage.
Usability: As commissary kitchens get more and more popular, they have more users (customers) than ever. That’s why it may be challenging to find available hours perfect for your schedule.
In conclusion, both having your own kitchens and using commissary kitchens have advantages and disadvantages. For a food startup, it may be a good idea to start with a commissary kitchen to get things done faster. However, if you have an established business, it may not be a good idea to rent a commissary kitchen; you may want to invest in your own. In essence, a kitchen commissary serves as an adaptable foundation for both burgeoning and developed food enterprises, streamlining the production process.
Looking for what to take into account when choosing a commissary kitchen is a good idea if you decide to choose one.
Also, if you are in the Boston area, you can check our Best Commissary Kitchens in Boston series.
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