Most food businesses need to rent a commercial kitchen. There are many different types and sizes of commercial kitchens for lease. Most of the time, this means renting a church, school, or community centre kitchen after hours or renting extra space in the kitchen of another food business. Food companies will now have a third choice: they can rent space in a certified commissary kitchen to do commercial cooking. When there are more options, there are more things to choose from. Keep the following things in mind as you weigh your options on the best commercial kitchen for lease
Things to think about when renting a commercial kitchen
Health Records
Has the health department shut down the facility a lot in the past? This is a big problem that could slow down your ability to make food, which could cause customers to wait and cost you money.
Equipment Age
There is a lot of maintenance that needs to be done on commercial kitchen equipment, especially as it gets older. Some of the things that break the most often are griddles, refrigerators, and convection ovens. If your business needs any of the things listed above, you should look for a commercial kitchen for lease that has the right equipment.
Kitchen Hygiene
Would you want people to know where the food you sell is made? If you answered no, you might want to look for a new kitchen. If your clients are meeting you in the kitchen for any reason, or if they just happen to find it on their own, the way it looks and how clean it is will make a lasting impression on them and may affect whether or not they buy from you again.
Location of the Kitchen
Besides how close the site seems to be to where you live and want to work, how far is the kitchen from where you can transport or sell your food? This could make it harder to keep food hot or cold long enough to meet food safety standards or keep customers happy. After a 45-minute drive from the east side of town to the foothills, your fresh-from-the-oven pastries may only be lukewarm at best.
When looking for a commercial kitchen to lease, check to see if it has easy access to ice, catering supplies, a lot of space for cleaning, and online scheduling.
Access to the Kitchen
Will the fact that the commercial kitchen is for rent meet your needs now and in the future? If you get a big order, will you be able to work late or take more time than you were given?
Resources for the Culinary Business:
Do you have everything you need to start and grow your food business, or would you rather have access to a network of food entrepreneurs and professional services? A commissary may have many things you can't get at other places where you can rent. In a group setting, the owner of another food business might be able to give you some good advice on how to choose the proper commercial kitchen for lease. You might overhear something that gives you an excellent idea for your next business. You might meet another food company owner who could be a business partner.
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