CloudKitchens

CloudKitchens is a private company that provides kitchen facilities and related technology for delivery-first food brands. Often described as a ghost kitchen or dark kitchen operator, it rents out fully equipped, centralized kitchen spaces in urban areas to multiple restaurant concepts, enabling them to prepare food exclusively for delivery without a traditional dine-in footprint.

Beyond physical spaces, CloudKitchens offers the infrastructure and software to support a delivery-focused operation. This includes kitchen fit-out, equipment, sanitation and safety compliance, storage, and staging areas, as well as a digital platform for order management, inventory control, and real-time analytics. The company also coordinates with third-party delivery services and optimizes logistics to shorten delivery times.

Business model: CloudKitchens leases kitchen space to multiple brands on flexible terms, often charging rent plus service or utility fees. By aggregating kitchens across locations, it aims to provide rapid geographic expansion for brands and help operators test concepts with lower capital expenditure.

Impact and reception: The company is part of a broader trend toward ghost kitchens and delivery-only concepts, which have reshaped food service in many markets. Critics point to concerns about real estate costs, market saturation, and quality control, as well as worker conditions and regulatory compliance in some jurisdictions.