With the ongoing global pandemic, many trends have sprouted in business to help them stay afloat in this business landscape. Restaurants have opted to provide delivery services and outdoor dining to make way for the change in behavior and preferences of customers. This is also in line with the current safety guidelines imposed upon the public to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Apart from outdoor dining, there is such a thing as ghost kitchens that have been popular since last year. Ghost kitchens are restaurants that do not face customers and are solely dedicated to delivering food to locations. This delivery-only business model may lead to an increase in efficiency in terms of a kitchen’s workflow.
As with any food and beverage business, it is important to maintain good hygiene and protect the well-being of the employees and the customers. For those looking to set up a ghost kitchen, consider the logistics and the establishment you will need to maintain a kitchen in good condition. Urethane cement coating for kitchen flooring may help protect your employees from accidents, which is important when it comes to a kitchen business that oftentimes gets hectic in schedule. Study the basics of ghost kitchens to see if this is the right business model for you.
Pros and Cons of Ghost Kitchens
Ghost kitchens might very well be the future of restaurants after the global health crisis. It might still seem like a foreign concept, but aspiring business owners should keep an open mind when it comes to exploring this business idea. Ghost kitchens have their pros and cons, and it is valuable for these aspiring business owners to familiarize themselves with these before investing in this unique business model.
Here are the pros and cons of ghost kitchens amid the pandemic.
The cost can be expensive when it comes to ghost kitchens. Third-party delivery services can be costly, and they might be counterproductive for your business goals. Analyze your options regarding this aspect before diving in headfirst.
If starting a restaurant is your dream, you might find it difficult to get satisfaction from setting up a ghost kitchen. With this business model, there is less customer interaction and less connection with these customers. The chance to build a community through a good restaurant cannot be provided by setting up ghost kitchens.
Apart from this, another con is how the meals will have to be prepared for delivery. There will be no opportunity for plating and garnishing in terms of food presentation. This might come across as a turn-off for those who dream of becoming restaurant owners with great reputations in culinary arts.
While there are cons to setting up a ghost kitchen, there are equivalent pros to this list. One of the pros is how ghost kitchens allow greater flexibility in terms of the restaurant’s menu. This business model allows greater experimentation in terms of food selection. On the other hand, these kitchens also allow having a more simplified menu to help streamline costs.
Another pro of ghost kitchens is being eco-friendly. With significantly fewer resources needed to maintain a physical establishment, there is little carbon footprint from the kitchen. Sustainability is a major issue these days, and being able to provide this sustainable option to consumers is a game changer.
With the quarantine guidelines in place, ghost kitchens meet the customer expectations from restaurants and food establishments. Given this, individuals can support this business model more than ever.
These are some pros and cons of the business model of ghost kitchens. As an aspiring business owner, you have to weigh your options and resources to see if this business model works for your goals.
Ghost Kitchens Amid COVID-19
It is a given that cleanliness and sanitation are important aspects of the food and beverage industry. Even with the prevalence of food delivery services, kitchen and delivery hygiene are essential in keeping everyone safe from the spread of the virus.
Employers should impose strict social distancing and safety guidelines within kitchens and the whole business area to ensure customers and employees are healthy. Business owners should be aware of the current safety guidelines and protocols if an employee contracts the virus.
Delivery services have been popular in the food industry as quarantine guidelines have been imposed. Ghost kitchens are no exception, and they continue to provide quality goods and services to consumers.
Starting a business during the global health crisis needs strategic decisions. Although establishing a ghost kitchen is needed in these difficult times, aspiring business owners should weigh their options and resources to sustain a safe and healthy work environment for employees and customers.