What is a ghost kitchen?
Thanks for asking.
For many of us, it's been a long time since we last set foot in a pub or restaurant.
We've become more accustomed than ever to navigating our favourite food delivery apps until we find something that catches our fancy.
But do we actually know how and where our meals are prepared?
Ghost kitchens, or dark kitchens as they are also known, have really taken off in the last two years.
Their success has come hand in hand with that of online delivery platforms, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only served to speed up the process.
The idea is simple.
A kind of virtual restaurant with no seating, no diners, and no waiters.
That's right.
Ghost kitchens operate only to serve online customers.
Uber Eats claims to now have 10000 such providers on its US platform, compared to just 3000 in 2019.
Don't they need a restaurant in order to prepare delivery food?
Well, the emphasis is undoubtedly on having a large kitchen space.
It's good to be located close to densely populated neighborhoods to maximize visibility on delivery apps.
But without welcoming any customers to the premises.
There's no need to be picky and rent someplace fancy which is obviously going to be expensive.
The initial investment for setting up a ghost kitchen is said to be six to ten times lower than that of a traditional restaurant, depending on the chosen kitchen equipment.
Overhead costs are also significantly lower.
In addition to saving on rent, don't forget tableware, what with dishes being delivered in containers and paper bags.
Nevertheless, bear in mind that the percentage given to third-party delivery companies is usually between 20 and 35.
Delivery food is usually junk food though, isn't it?
You're right in that burgers, sushi and pizza are the most common food products ordered from ghost kitchens.
We tend to think comfort food most of the time when ordering in.
The average basket is under 20 pounds and you're hardly going to get fine dining at that price.
But while the concept may have something of an image problem at the moment, some industry experts expect that to improve in due course.
They believe the market still has a lot of scope to grow.
So are ghost kitchens going to kill off traditional restaurants?
Food delivery services and ghost kitchens certainly look set to continue to thrive.
Restaurants, on the other hand, have no doubt been struggling since the start of the pandemic, forced to close to the public for large portions of the last year.
But it's unlikely.
Their business model is at threat to an extent that they would ever disappear completely.
Many have shown creativity, adapting to the situation by offering takeaway, responsible delivery or click and collect services.
Here's hoping, before too long we'll be able to enjoy the pleasure of going out for a meal with friends or family again.
Cheers!
There you have it.
Now you know what a ghost kitchen is.
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