Last Updated on November 18, 2021 by
The rental rates for a commercial kitchen in the USA range between $15 and $30 per hour. However, most owners require a security deposit and monthly leases on top of hourly rates. This fee can sum up to a minimum of $300, making commercial kitchens expensive if you want to use the space a few times a year.
Yes, it is possible to rent a commercial kitchen in the United States of America. The rates, however, will depend on many intricate details. You have to figure out what you want in your kitchen before going searching for one. Some of these details include:
1. Space
2. Equipment and appliances provided
3. Storage facilities
4. Number of people it can accommodate
5. Layout
Once you know what will satisfy your kitchen needs, getting a suitable commercial kitchen and the exact rates will become easy.
Here we will discuss more on the commercial kitchen to pick one that suits your needs and budget.
What Are The Rates For Leasing A Commercial Kitchen?
The rates of renting a commercial kitchen can range from 15 dollars to 30 dollars an hour. However, a monthly lease or membership may be required. This cost a minimum of 300 dollars to several thousand. The price shifts according to the requirements and specifications you need. Therefore, you might find it expensive if you look for a spec to use only a few times a year.
What Is In A Commercial Kitchen?
A commercial kitchen is a rental space containing a kitchen to prepare food for sales, such as catering establishments, restaurants, hotels, or café. And, like any other commodity, commercial kitchens come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, with most already equipped and ready to cook, serve and store the food.
Each commercial kitchen comes with its own set of rules to be followed by the tenant. Also, the equipment pre-installed is never the same in any two kitchens. The owners make sure they are unique to stand out and provide better facilities than the others in the same line of work. However, better facilities mean high rental rates.
So, before you settle specific commercial kitchen, research to get one that meets your needs and budget.
Why Should You Rent A Commercial Kitchen?
If you want professional cooking spaces, then renting a commercial kitchen is the best option. You can hire independent chefs, food truck enthusiasts, bakers, catering teams, or just anyone with a cooking spirit and who wants to cook in a professional environment.
Any person who owns a commercial kitchen for lease is legally required to pay for all the licenses and permits that a kitchen needs. Also, the owners are required to ensure that the kitchen passes all the safety requirements. You should thus ensure all that is done before you occupy the space.
Some Of The Reasons For Renting Commercial Kitchens Include:
1. Photoshoots for chefs showcasing their products and services offered. Mostly, this happens with new and upcoming chefs who need to put their names into the market as they start.
2. People who need to throw food-centric parties and need professional space in a professional environment to showcase their cooking skills.
3. Cooking classes. People often want to learn how to cook, but their home kitchen is not enough to do all the cooking they want. Here is where the rental kitchen comes into play.
4. Artists, brands, or restaurants who want to try out pop-up experiences for their customers or are trying to conquer a new market and expand. A rental kitchen helps. It is used to take the idea for a test before officially kick-starting it.
5. Influencers might also rent a commercial kitchen to use in trying out new products. When a consumer sees the product in a desirable setting, it influences their decision. A leased kitchen can be good since it will be used for a few days and then move on once the idea materializes or if not worth it.
What Types Of Commercial Kitchens Are There In The Market?
Commercial kitchens come in different layouts and with varying specifications. Commonly, there are five different layouts, each built to fulfill a specific need. The type of food being prepared and the amount of space needed also play a significant role.
These kitchen layouts include:
Assembly Line Layout
As the name suggests, an assembly line layout is designed in a line. This layout begins with the food station where the meal is being prepared and goes down towards a straight line where the customers are served.
Such a layout is more common in fast food joints with small menus which require speed as most of their orders are pick and go.
Island Layout
This sort of layout has the cooking equipment and station set up in the middle of the kitchen. It takes a lot of space to design one and is more sophisticated, with the main focus being on the food creation process. The menu here cannot be all about fast foods; it is diverse as it offers a variety of meals.
Zone Layout
The zone-style layout is designed such that the food-making processes are all kept in their zones. No two foods are prepared in the same zone. If a meal goes through two zones, it has to complete zone one and then move to the next. Therefore, a big kitchen is needed for all the zones to be accommodated. Hotels, catering stations, or cooking events are best suited with this layout as they have both the resources to man each zone.
Galley Layout
The Galley layout is typically used in kitchens with limited space. The different stations are spread across the available space rather than in the middle of the kitchen. The heavy cooking equipment is placed along the kitchen walls, leaving enough room to move around.
Open Kitchen Layout
The open kitchen layout is unique and probably the most exotic of the five. The kitchen is set up such that the customer or the clients fully view all the cooking processes. The kitchen set is so that the guest, client, or customers are in no danger of oil splatters and any harm that might come to them in the process. The idea of cooking being an entertainment comes to life in this setup. If you are a chef and want to showcase your cooking skills, this is the perfect setup.
How To Choose An Ideal Commercial Kitchen To Rent?
Researching before settling on the type of kitchen to lease is important. Here are some of the factors to consider before making a decision:
Space
Space is the main factor to consider before you even start looking for the kitchen layout and rate you would like. How much space do you need, and how much are you willing to sacrifice to get your desired kitchen?
If you want a small kitchen, you should consider a galley and assembly line layout. Open kitchen layout, zone layout, and island layout take much space, and the rates are also high. You have to make a decision that suits your space and one that will not end up overcrowding. An overcrowded kitchen is one mistake away from causing injuries to occupants.
Equipment And Appliances
The number and size of the equipment you will need have to come into play. Depending on what sort of menu you have and the amount of food you plan on cooking, you can decide on the size of grills, fryers, cookers, and even dishwasher stations that you will need. The size of the equipment and appliances will also dictate how your kitchen layout will look like.
Storage Facilities
The ingredients used in the cooking process will need to be kept in proper storage facilities to avoid contamination or going bad. The amount of shelving, pantry, and freezer room is essential.
The Number Of People To Accommodate
If you are the only person in the kitchen, you can operate in a small space and be efficient. When more people come in, there might be pushing and shoving, becoming a recipe for destruction. With many people operating in the kitchen, you need to figure out how you will communicate to avoid overlapping conversations, leading to miscommunication of orders or instructions. Therefore, if you are planning to host many people, then go to bigger kitchen layouts.
Final Thoughts
Commercial kitchens for rent are now a common thing in the restaurant or cooking side of the business. They help out many people who need such services. The rates of renting a commercial kitchen are not constant and can vary from one type to another. Also, depending on your location, needs, space, and all the other factors stated in this article, you are very likely to find a kitchen that will suit all your needs and finances. However, you can work around a budget of between $15 and $30 per hour.
