Chicago commissary kitchens make delivery easy
Introducing CloudKitchens in Chicago, where delivery is a daily necessity. Cater to the diverse needs of students, professionals, and tourists seeking food in one of the greatest food cities in the United States. With streamlined operations, strategic locations, and valuable services, we set your delivery business up for Windy City success.
Why commissary kitchens in Chicago?
With over 2.7 million residents, Chicago boasts a bustling food industry that eagerly embraces fresh and distinctive dining experiences.
Turn-key
solution
Open a dark kitchen in as little as 6 weeks with less capital, and leverage our proven model for delivery.
A team to
support you
We handle the logistics and fulfillment to make sure your orders are delivered with more accuracy, in less time.
New customers at
your fingertips
Our dark kitchens are located in densely populated areas with the highest volumes of delivery orders, so you can reach more customers online.
Manage orders on
one tablet
Streamline your virtual restaurant's online ordering and delivery platform orders from one single tablet. Our technology integrates all your delivery apps in one place, allowing you to focus on the food.
Build multiple food
concepts
Maximize your order volume by running multiple brands and cuisines out of a single dark kitchen.
Lower costs, higher
profits
When your labor, real estate costs, overhead, and cost of goods go down, your profits go up.
![Commissary kitchens in Chicago](https://images.prismic.io/cloudkitchens-main/81eca117-10c9-43a2-a1ee-6f783b0a4f59_LATAM-Kitchen-Interior-Compressed.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=0%2C0%2C2232%2C1066&w=2232&h=1066&fit=max)
Chicago's culinary landscape is a melting pot of diverse flavors and cultures, earning it the well-deserved title of being one of the top "Foodie Capitals" in the United States. Making it the perfect place to launch your commissary kitchen!
Chicago loves to eat, and residents in neighborhoods like River West and North Center can’t wait to dig into what you’ve been cooking up. We've got exciting news for you: when you launch your online restaurant with CloudKitchens in Chicago, you can start fulfilling orders in weeks.
Restaurant entrepreneurs can finally rejoice as we provide a fast and convenient way to scale you food business. Say goodbye to costly brick-and-mortar restaurants or risky food trucks. CloudKitchen’s Chicago commissary kitchens can serve all of the popular neighborhoods like West Loop, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Wicker Park. They are purposefully designed for efficient delivery-only operations, allowing you to focus on what you do best—creating amazing food.
By optimizing your square footage and streamlining your kitchen staff, you can keep your costs low while maintaining high-quality standards. CloudKitchens' delivery platform is available to support you with order fulfillment and ensures smooth operations throughout the hours of operation. Our proprietary CloudKitchens technology simplifies your workflow by organizing orders into a single, intuitive system.
With CloudKitchens, you have the flexibility to run your culinary venture in various ways. You can create a delivery satellite for your existing restaurant, start a new and exciting business, or even manage multiple brands from the same kitchen space.
Dark kitchens versus traditional restaurants
Real estate
Brick & mortar
2000ft2
High cost, high traffic address
Ghost Kitchens
200ft2
Same area, low cost low traffic address
Staff required (~)
Brick & mortar
24
Many dedicated to front-of-house
Ghost Kitchens
4
We provide staff to handle all order handoffs and more
Weeks to launch 1 location
Brick & mortar
52w
10 locations 5-10 years
Ghost Kitchens
6w
Multiple locations 1 year
Upfront investment
Brick & mortar
$1M
High investment
Ghost Kitchens
$30k*
Low investment
Break even
Brick & mortar
5y
10% profit on 1M run rate
Ghost Kitchens
6m
10% profit on 1M run rate
All you need and more under the hood
We offer kitchens for modern-day chefs and help get you set up with specialized equipment and minimal fuss.
Space
- Private kitchen
- Driver pickup area
- Staff locker area
- Restrooms
- Mop wash
- Cold & freezer storage
- Dry storage
Services
- Order pickup & processing*
- Courier handoff
- Cleaning & maintenance
- Safety & health inspections
- Delivery logistics
- Extraction & ventilation
- On-site support staff
- Delivery software
*Level of service dependent on facility
Equipment
- 3 compartment sink
- Prep sink
- Hand sink
- Commercial hood
- Tablet
- Grease-trap/interceptor
Utilities
- Gas points
- Power outlets
- High power lighting
- Cold & hot water lines
- Gas/fire safety system
- WiFi
- Trash / recycle
- Ethernet connections
- Grease/trap cleaning
- Hood/flue cleaning
- Pest control
Chicago commissary kitchens
![Westline Food Junction facility](https://images.prismic.io/cloudkitchens-main/c41a9473-bb52-4144-acaf-55dbfd1dc8c8_Chicago_Superior_Exterior_Angle+copy+Large.jpeg?auto=compress,format)
Westline Food Junction
![Southloop Food Company facility](https://images.prismic.io/cloudkitchens-main/8640a2fb-21c7-467e-833a-c6f8a04b54f3_Chicago-Wabash_Exterior_Final_Rebrand_2304x1000_compressed.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Southloop Food Company
![Rockwell Food Center facility](https://images.prismic.io/cloudkitchens-main/3f195c5b-8d87-4f36-8b7e-430df220f7c5_ghost-kitchen-chicago-rockwell-1.jpg?auto=compress,format)
Rockwell Food Center
![Picnic facility](https://images.prismic.io/cloudkitchens-main/e8b7ff39-a36f-4c67-b386-c38fcb08b80b_PICNIC_Outside+Large.jpeg?auto=compress,format)
Picnic
Questions?We are here to help.
What's required to open a new restaurant in Chicago?
No matter if you are a food entrepreneur or planning on opening a food truck, it’s important to understand that opening a new restaurant in Chicago requires adherence to certain requirements and processes, which can vary based on factors such as location, establishment size, cuisine type, and target customer base. However, there are essential steps that must be taken:
- Obtain a business license from the City of Chicago: You need to secure a business license from the appropriate department in the City of Chicago to legally operate your restaurant.
- Acquire a food establishment permit: The Chicago Department of Public Health mandates obtaining a food establishment permit. This process includes successfully passing a food and safety inspection to ensure compliance with health regulations.
- Comply with zoning and building regulations: It is crucial to adhere to zoning and building rules in Chicago, which may involve obtaining specific permits based on your location and the nature of your restaurant.
- Secure liability insurance: It is essential to obtain viable liability insurance to protect your business and customers in case of unforeseen incidents.
- When partnering with CloudKitchens in Chicago, we assist you with several crucial aspects of the process. This includes handling inspections, ensuring compliance with zoning regulations, providing standard kitchen equipment, and more, so that you can concentrate on the core of your business: delivering exceptional food to your customers.
What are the most popular areas of Chicago to deliver food?
Chicago, known for its diverse culinary scene, has several popular areas for food delivery. Here are some notable neighborhoods that are frequently preferred for food delivery:
- Downtown Chicago: The central business district of Chicago is a bustling area with numerous offices, hotels, and residential buildings. It attracts a significant demand for food delivery due to the high concentration of professionals and visitors in the area.
- Wicker Park: Located on Chicago's northwest side, Wicker Park is a trendy neighborhood known for its vibrant dining scene. It features a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it a popular choice for food delivery among local residents and visitors.
- Lincoln Park: Lincoln Park, situated on the city's North Side, is a vibrant and affluent neighborhood. It is home to a mix of residential areas, popular attractions like the Lincoln Park Zoo, and a thriving restaurant scene. This area sees a high demand for food delivery, particularly from its residents.
- Lakeview: Situated on the city's North Side along Lake Michigan, Lakeview is a lively neighborhood with a diverse mix of residents and a vibrant nightlife. With a wide array of restaurants, including popular dining strips like Southport Avenue and Belmont Avenue, it is a sought-after area for food delivery.
- River North: River North is a trendy and upscale neighborhood located just north of downtown Chicago. It features a variety of upscale restaurants, cocktail bars, and entertainment venues. The area's popularity among young professionals and tourists contributes to its high demand for food delivery services.
It's important to note that the popularity of food delivery areas may vary based on factors such as local events, time of day, and specific customer preferences. These neighborhoods, however, consistently demonstrate a strong demand for food delivery services in Chicago.
What is the difference between a ghost kitchen vs. dark kitchen?
There is no practical difference between a ghost kitchen (also known as a virtual kitchen) and a dark kitchen. They’re interchangeable terms for delivery-based shared commercial kitchen spaces. To clarify further, shared kitchen space means the facility is shared, but you have your own individual space within it.
Are dark kitchens profitable?
Thanks to their comparatively low overhead, dark kitchens have the potential to turn an incredible profit. A dark kitchen’s profitability depends on several factors, like the location, branding, and operating systems at play.
How does a dark kitchen help your existing restaurant grow?
Operating a dark kitchen concept and business model allows restaurant owners to serve a wider clientele while minimizing overhead via the shared kitchen business model. Dark kitchens also give you the flexibility to try out new menus or even new restaurants, all within one commercial kitchen space.
How much do commissary kitchens cost?
The cost of opening and operating a commissary kitchen will vary but will be similar to commercial kitchen rentals. When you work with CloudKitchens, you can get your ghost kitchen up and running with an investment as low as $30k (compared to the average $1 million for a brick-and-mortar, traditional restaurant).