Local Brand Hub
ghost-kitchen

Ghost Kitchen

2 articles to help your business succeed

Ghost kitchens — also known as dark kitchens or cloud kitchens — are food preparation facilities that produce meals exclusively for delivery, with no dine-in service. This model has grown rapidly across UK cities, offering lower startup costs, reduced overheads, and the flexibility to test concepts without committing to a full restaurant premises. These guides cover launching and operating a ghost kitchen in the UK, choosing between shared and standalone facilities, managing delivery platform relationships, building a brand without a physical shopfront, and navigating UK food safety requirements for delivery-only operations.

💡Quick Tips for Ghost Kitchen

  • ✓Choose a location based on delivery zone coverage rather than foot traffic — industrial estates and secondary streets offer lower rents
  • ✓Optimise your menu for delivery — eliminate items that don't travel well and focus on dishes that maintain quality after 20-30 minutes
  • ✓Build your brand presence online since you have no physical shopfront — invest heavily in photography, social media, and review management
  • ✓Negotiate commission rates with delivery platforms and consider building your own ordering channel to improve margins

Featured Article

Busy dark kitchen with chefs preparing delivery orders across multiple stations
07/03/2026•16 min read

Dark Kitchen: Set Up and Run One in the UK

A dark kitchen is a delivery-only commercial kitchen with no dine-in area, no shopfront, and no front-of-house staff. This guide covers everything you need to set up and run one in the UK, from equipm...

Read article

More Articles About Ghost Kitchen

Related Topics

deliveryonline orderingrestaurant technologyrestaurant operationsrestaurant branding

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to start a ghost kitchen in the UK?

Startup costs range from £15,000-50,000 for a basic setup, or £500-2,000/month for shared kitchen space. This compares favourably to £100,000-300,000+ for a traditional restaurant. Key costs include kitchen fit-out, food safety compliance, packaging, and initial marketing.

Do ghost kitchens need the same licences as restaurants?

Yes. You need to register with your local authority as a food business at least 28 days before opening, comply with food hygiene regulations, obtain a food hygiene rating, and hold appropriate insurance. Planning permission may be needed depending on the property's current use class.

Explore more topics to grow your business

Browse All Articles