It has been quite the year for the foodservice industry. Businesses have struggled. Some unfortunately have shuttered, and many have reimagined their concepts to fit the new normal. The pandemic has changed the way people choose to dine. Long after the vaccine has been distributed, people will still have reservations in regard to in person dining. Ghost kitchens, or virtual kitchens have proven to be a gradually effective form of recovery for the ailing industry.

What does all this mean for the future of restaurants? Well, to be blunt, it means that owners and operators have to find new ways to stay open. Delivery and take out have become a preferred choice for many, and is expected to only rise in popularity in 2021. If the people won’t come to the food, bring the food to the people.

If you plan on adding a ghost kitchen to an existing establishment there are certain benefits. Being able to occupy an unused area in your building is great for prep work or storing supplies. Instead of having to hire new employees you can try to make use of your current staff, maybe even opening the door for them to be utilized in a different capacity. All of these things can lead to incremental revenue.

What about starting from scratch? Building your virtual business from the bottom up can seem daunting, but there are pros to popping up shop. One of the most obvious benefits is the difference in occupancy costs. Without a dining area, the space needed to run a successful virtual foodservice program is much smaller than your typical restaurant, which means paying a lot less in rent. 

Speaking of arming your kitchen... Making sure you have the right equipment is essential to running a profitable ghost kitchen. Ventless fryers and ovens, like the AutoFry and MultiChef XL do not require any hood or vents, sparing owners and operators on high installation and maintenance costs. Not to mention they are so easy to use that any employee can operate them, and saving on labor costs and allowing funds to be implemented in different areas.

So, what do you say, want to learn more about how you can get your ghost kitchen started? Click below to find out how MTI can help!