A ghost kitchen is a restaurant that only serves food for off-site consumption. Most ghost kitchens only deliver and accept orders through their own and third-party platforms, while some offer takeout or self-service options. By 2030, ghost kitchens are expected to make up 50% of the takeaway and self-service restaurant sectors. This means there's a lot of pressure to make sure the kitchen runs as smoothly as possible, and that starts with staffing the right employees and training them to adhere to the operating model.
Opening a ghost kitchen requires a business plan, whether it's an extension of an existing brand or an entirely new concept. Companies can use in-house delivery solutions to avoid third-party fees, but most ghost kitchens forego this option to streamline the process for drivers and save time and money on the restaurant's facade. While working in a ghost kitchen can be economically efficient for restaurants, it takes away many of the joys of being in a physical establishment. Despite these disadvantages, the advantages of ghost kitchens are so evident that there are currently thousands of them in operation across the country.
But what exactly is a ghost kitchen and what is the most efficient process for opening one? And since ghost kitchens will become a trillion-dollar industry by 2030, now is the time to lay the groundwork for this emerging restaurant trend. Long shifts will seem longer if you spend all day in a ghost kitchen, so try to space out the hours so that your employees don't burn out. During the coronavirus pandemic, top celebrity chefs and Michelin-starred restaurants have turned to ghost kitchens to bring their food to homes around the world. Efficiency in ghost kitchens depends largely on technology, as customers place their orders through delivery applications and payments are processed through the cloud.
DoorDash Kitchens offers a personalized kitchen space for five restaurant establishments that offer delivery and pickup services through the DoorDash app. Virtual kitchen concepts are also coming to the market, using ghost kitchens to prepare food and deliver it to customers who don't have a physical establishment. DoorDash is modifying the ghost kitchen model with the version that just opened in the San Francisco Bay Area. When it comes to training staff for a ghost kitchen environment, it's important to focus on efficiency and safety. Employees should be trained on how to use technology such as delivery applications and payment processing systems.
They should also be trained on how to properly handle food items, as well as how to package them for delivery or takeout. Additionally, staff should be trained on customer service skills such as how to interact with customers over the phone or online chat services. Finally, staff should be trained on safety protocols such as proper sanitation procedures and how to handle hazardous materials. Overall, training staff for a ghost kitchen environment requires an emphasis on efficiency and safety. By focusing on these two areas, businesses can ensure their staff are well-equipped to handle any situation that may arise in a ghost kitchen environment.
