Shared Kitchens: How do they work?

By: Jamie Hooker

 

Also known as “kitchen incubators”, “community kitchens” or “shared timed kitchens,” shared kitchens are a great option for entrepreneurs who are just starting out.  So what are they? Fully licensed, professionally equipped commercial kitchen that you can rent for hours or days at a time, depending on the kitchen. Sounds pretty cool, right? Austin is home to more than a few shared kitchens, and with so many start-ups and small businesses in the area, it’s a great place for them.

It’s no secret that starting a business can be challenging, especially a food business. With all the costs and how fast it adds up, it can be overwhelming. The idea behind shared kitchens is they replace the need for you to rent or buy a space (which alone can be expensive) and then the need to build a kitchen inside of it. The nice thing about a shared kitchen is that you only pay for what you need, which can help keep start-up costs low. If you have a full time job, but want to build a food business on the side, it’s convenient to be able to plan ahead and schedule kitchen time when you know you’re available.

Most shared kitchens have a space to serve the food you make, so you can invite friends, family and potential new customers to enjoy your cuisine. This is a great way to get your name out there, and also a way to test-run processes before you move into your own independent kitchen.

Check out our blog post on Choosing a Location for a New Restaurant when you’re ready to take the leap to your own place!