With the food industry in Singapore valued at approximately $20.7 billion market in 2023 and projected to grow at a 16.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2032, the rise of food delivery platforms like Deliveroo and GrabFood has shifted consumer habits. To remain competitive in this evolving landscape, restaurants are turning to centralised kitchens to meet the increasing demand. But what exactly are these kitchens, and why are they gaining popularity? Let’s delve into the details.
What is a central kitchen?
A central kitchen, also called a central production unit (CPU), is where meals or ingredients are prepared before being sent to different locations for serving customers. These kitchens are crucial for restaurant chains of all types, from casual diners to upscale eateries.
It’s essential to know that central kitchens are different from ghost kitchens, where food is prepared and delivered directly to customers. Central kitchens are solely used by restaurants to prepare all their food in one place, which is then distributed to multiple branches.
Curious about why restaurants opt for centralised production? Let’s explore the benefits of using a central kitchen!
1. Maintaining consistent food quality
A big plus of using a central kitchen is making sure the food tastes the same at all your restaurants. It’s important to have consistent and delicious food everywhere. Even if you have recipes and chefs who are trained well, minor differences in how they cook can change the taste. So, if you want your food quality to be consistent everywhere, a central kitchen might be just what you need.
2. Reducing operational costs
Running a chain of restaurants involves a lot of expenses, like paying staff, covering daily costs, and renting spaces. In Singapore, finding and renting commercial properties can be tough and costly. Many city areas don’t have good spots for restaurants, making it hard to grow.
Central kitchens help by bringing all kitchen work together in one place. This means you don’t have to rent lots of different spaces, saving money on rent. Also, you need less staff and spend less on maintaining equipment compared to managing multiple kitchens.
3. Solving space problems
Expanding restaurants sometimes get stuck because kitchens are too small or not set up well. In Singapore, finding good locations for restaurants can be expensive, especially in busy areas. So, kitchens in those places might not be big enough or designed well for a growing business.
But there’s a solution: renting commercial kitchens made just for the food industry all over Singapore. These kitchens can be changed to fit what businesses need, helping them grow. With practical and efficient facilities, these rentals help businesses succeed in Singapore’s competitive market.
4. Improving business efficiency
Efficiency extends beyond culinary prowess. Central kitchens contribute to operational efficiency in various ways:
- Making it easier to buy and organise things in one place.
- Needing less time and money to maintain kitchens.
- Improving communication between main offices and storage places.
- Managing supplies better and cutting down on waste.
- Training chefs consistently for better performance.
- Quickly trying out new menu ideas and putting them into action.
5. Solving chef shortages
Finding enough skilled chefs is a big problem in the food industry. But central kitchens can help. With a centralised approach, you don’t need as many highly skilled chefs for complex cooking tasks. This means you can hire fewer of them, which makes staffing easier. As for the restaurant chefs, their jobs become simpler because they mainly just heat up and serve food prepared centrally.
Discover your ideal kitchen space at Smart City Kitchens Singapore.
At Smart City Kitchens Singapore, we offer versatile, adaptable spaces in all our central production kitchens. Whether you’re expanding your culinary ventures or optimising business operations, our kitchens provide tailored solutions. Additionally, explore the future of food delivery with our innovative ghost kitchens, gaining traction across Singapore.
From turnkey solutions to cutting-edge technology and the ability to launch multiple brands from a single kitchen, our kitchen solutions cater to evolving industry needs. Contact us today to schedule a visit and experience how our spaces can drive success in Singapore’s dynamic food industry landscape. Stay updated with the latest industry news, tips, and insights by exploring our blogs.