Fynsa
A few weeks ago, we discussed "dark stores," and today we'll talk about another major trend along the same lines: "dark kitchens."
According to Euromonitor, dark kitchens could generate a market worth over $1 trillion worldwide by 2030. In Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, there are more than 400 such kitchens.
In the wake of the pandemic, one of the hardest-hit sectors was that of restaurants and bars, due to the restrictions and lockdowns imposed worldwide, which forced them to close their doors to the public for long periods of time. But this is where a new business model is emerging, known as Dark Kitchens, or “Cocinas Fantasmas” in Spanish. This concept refers to restaurants focused solely on delivery, so all they need is a kitchen, which typically ranges from 12 m² to 20 m². In other words, they are restaurants without tables, chairs, or waitstaff. This has led to significant savings on staffing and rent.
At the same time, it has encouraged the emergence of new competition, since launching a new brand is more cost-effective than under the traditional business model. Generally, all you need to get started are the basic cooking supplies. According to various entrepreneurs who have ventured into these areas, the cost of equipping these kitchens is around 6 million pesos, and the cost increases from there depending on the level of specialization.
Today in Chile, there are several companies that lease space for dark kitchens to entrepreneurs and/or large restaurant chains. These complexes of multiple ghost kitchens are called “hubs.” Some of the companies that provide these services in Chile include Kitchen Center, Pop Kitchen, Oficina Central, and Kitchen And Go, among others.
The main advantages of a ghost kitchen compared to a traditional restaurant are:
Rents range from about 2.4 UF/m² to 2.6 UF/m², so with a monthly rent of 36 UF, plus 6 million pesos, you can start a business of this type.
AGF Team
