Ghost Kitchens: What They Are & How to Create One
You may have heard the term “ghost kitchen” for the very first time this past year. Although it may sound like the title of a new Stephen King novel, the reality of this food service industry buzzword is much less spooky. In fact…it’s downright intriguing.
Some believe the raging ghost kitchen trend is on pace to become a $1-Trillion dollar industry by 2030, while other skeptics believe the trend will slow much, much sooner.
But what we can all agree on is this: ghost kitchens are HOT right now, and sometimes…it pays to strike with the iron is hot.
What is a Ghost Kitchen?
It goes by many names: ghost kitchen…dark kitchen…cloud kitchen…blackbox kitchen…virtual kitchen…and more.
Why, then, are we referring to it as a ghost kitchen vs. one of these alternatives? Well…we’re just fun like that.
But enough about the name. In order to understand this revolutionary business model, let’s start with a definition.
Ghost kitchens are existing commercial kitchen facilities that are used to prepare and package food orders for virtual brands – that is, delivery-only food service brands that don’t require a brick and mortar presence.
At Broaster, we’ve witnessed the rise of virtual brands particularly in the chicken wing space for several years, but when the pandemic hit in 2020…virtual brands exploded alongside demand for meal delivery and online ordering.
And so far…2021 hasn’t slowed these trends down.
Benefits for Virtual Brands & Existing Kitchens
Whether you’re looking to build a virtual food brand, or you have a commercial kitchen facility with available capacity, ghost kitchens can be mutually beneficial.
For starters, the lease costs are low compared to brick & mortar restaurants which is a big deal for those without significant startup capital looking to add minimal overhead.
Another advantage can be found in location. Without the need to sit on a well-trafficked road for top-of-mind awareness and convenience, virtual brands can ideally find ghost kitchen locations closer to where their customers are ordering from, so they can keep wait times short and hungry people happy.
On the flip-side, with many traditional food service establishments’ having their ability to generate sales hamstrung by stay-at-home orders and social distancing, businesses have had to pivot quickly to find new revenue streams.
For existing food service providers who now find themselves with a working commercial kitchen and a newfound capacity to fulfill orders, making this extra prep space available to virtual brands could be the perfect plan to help right the ship.
Further reading: Everything You Need to Know about Cloud Kitchens (a.k.a. Ghost Kitchens) in 2020
How to Get in on the Ghost Kitchen Movement [7 simple steps]
- Step 1: For virtual brands, start with choosing to deliver on a food concept that satisfies a consumer want or need.
- Step 2: Create a snappy, memorable brand name and logo to help you break through the clutter.
- Step 3: Ensure you have access to the cooking equipment you’ll need to fulfill orders and deliver on your promises
- Step 4: Nail down the food product that you’ll need and how you’ll be supplying it, storing it, etc.
- Step 5: Create signature recipes and menu items to build intrigue and drive repeat business
- Step 6: Invest in some level of mobile POS system
- Step 7: Get your brand up on a delivery platform like Grubhub, Doordash, Uber Eats, Eatstreet, or hire your own delivery drivers as a low-cost alternative (especially for those in rural areas)
Need a Trusted Partner for Support Along the Way? Broaster Can Help.
If you’re interested in starting your own virtual chicken brand and utilizing a ghost kitchen, Broaster can be a valuable part of the process.
With over 65 years in the food service industry, we can help your brand find its wings (pun intended) through our trademarked or private label food programs, turnkey cooking equipment, as well hands-on training, marketing support, and more.
And it all starts by reaching out to Broaster online today to learn more about who we are, what we offer, and how we can help your virtual brand succeed.
Contact Us Today
#BetterBeBroaster
From our Broaster family to yours—wishing you a safe, joyful, and flavor-filled Independence Day! 🇺🇸🎆🍗
#BetterBeBroaster #HappyFourth #IndependenceDay #BroasterChicken
Jul 4
Big power. Small footprint. 🔥
The Broaster 1800 is your high-performance pressure fryer—built for busy kitchens that need speed, consistency, and quality without taking up extra space.
✅ Round cooking well
✅ High-volume output
✅ Easy to use, easy to clean
Perfect for operators who want to serve legendary Broaster Chicken. Visit us online at Broaster.com/contact for a quote!
#BetterBeBroaster #Broaster1800 #PressureFryer #CompactPower #BroasterEquipment #SmartKitchenSolutions
Jul 3
Golden. Crispy. Irresistible. 🍤
Our Beer Battered Shrimp delivers pub-style flavor with a light, crunchy bite—ready in minutes. Serve it as a snack, app, or add it to a combo!
✅ Premium tail-off shrimp
✅ Signature beer batter coating
✅ Quick prep, no hassle
Bring the coastal vibes to your menu—no ocean required. 🌊 Now available nationwide through @dotfoodsofficial. Learn more here online at Broaster.com
#BetterBeBroaster #BeerBatteredShrimp #SeafoodMadeSimple #FrozenFoodDoneRight
Jul 2
"I am starving for Broaster Chicken" We are, too, buddy… We are, too. #BetterBeBroaster
Jul 1
Where do you get your Broaster Chicken fix? 🍗
Shout out your go-to spot and tag them in the comments! ⬇️ Let’s show some love to the places serving up that crispy, juicy goodness! 🙌
#BetterBeBroaster #BroasterChicken
Jun 29
#FAQFRYday 💬 "How much does your equipment cost?"
Great question! 💡 Pricing can vary based on your setup, needs, and location — so the best way to get an accurate quote is by connecting with your local distributor.
Ready to get started? We’ll point you in the right direction 👉 Visit Broaster.com/distribution
Jun 27
Our friend from Youtube says, "The chicken was juicy and the skin was flavorful."
Now we`re hungry for Genuine Broaster Chicken 😋
Jun 24
#NationalOnionRingDay calls for something crispy, golden, and unforgettable! 🧅
Let’s talk about one of our fan-favorite frozen picks — Broaster’s Beer Battered Onion Rings 🍺✨
Made with whole, sweet Spanish onion slices (never processed or extruded!), these rings are packed with bold flavor and crave-worthy crunch your customers will love bite after bite.
Now available nationwide through @dotfoodsofficial
Jun 22
#FAQFRYday 🍗💡 "Why is my chicken coming out too dark?"
If your chicken’s looking a little too golden… it might be your oil! 🔍
👨🍳 Pro Tip: It’s probably time to filter or replace your oil. Regular oil maintenance keeps your pressure fryer in top shape and your chicken perfectly crispy every time.
✅ Clean oil = Better taste, better color, better results!
Jun 20
Why Join the Broaster Express® Program? 🤔👇
🔥 Top-Quality, Ready-to-Cook Menu – Serve great food fast!
⚙️ Efficient Equipment – Get cooking with ease and speed.
🛢️ High-Quality Cooking Oils – Better taste, better consistency.
📦 Branded Packaging – Looks as good as it tastes!
👕 Branded Apparel – Dress the part, serve with pride.
🌟 National Brand Recognition – Trusted nationwide.
📢 Marketing Support – We help drive traffic to your store!
👨🍳 On-site Training – Master your kitchen with our expert help.
🚫 No Fees. No Royalties. No Franchise Contract. – Just pure profit potential!
📍 Store Locator & Website Support – Be found, be chosen, be loved.
✨ Boost your business with Broaster Express® ✨ Learn more online at Broaster.com/trademark-food-programs
Jun 18
🌟 Operator Spotlight Time! 🌟
Say hello to @nicksquorum in downtown Omaha, NE — where classic supper club vibes meet modern-day deliciousness!
From tableside Roasted Prime Rib with Yorkshire pudding (yes, please 😍) to a daily fish fry featuring crispy beer-battered cod, they’re serving up comfort food dreams with a gourmet twist. And don’t even get us started on that lobster mac & cheese and double-baked stuffed potatoes… pure indulgence. ✨
Big thanks to Nick’s Quorum for being a Genuine Broaster Chicken Operator ❤️ #BetterBeBroaster
Jun 17
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Whether you’re manning the grill or enjoying some well-deserved pressure-fried chicken, here’s to a day full of flavor and appreciation. #BetterBeBroaster
Jun 15
#FAQFRYday How long does it take to smoke ribs in the #Smokaroma? LESS THAN AN HOUR! Yeah, you heard that right. With our pressure smoking technique, you will have the juiciest, flavor packed ribs in about 45 minutes.
Learn more online at broaster.com/equipment/smokaroma
Jun 13
Check out how @thelodgesouthhaven took our Genuine Broaster Chicken tenders 🍗 and turned it into an interesting, delicious appetizer! They start by skewering Genuine Broaster Chicken tenders with their sweet Belgium waffles. 🧇 Then, the dish is drizzled with farm-fresh blueberry jam. 🫐 It is served with 100% pure Michigan maple syrup for dipping.
We love to see how you use your own creativity with our #GenuineBroasterChicken!
Jun 12
What do we hear all the time about our Genuine Broaster Chicken®? BEST. CHICKEN. EVER. What do you think? 😉 #BetterBeBroaster #GenuineBroasterChicken
Jun 10
#FAQFryDay: How do I clean my Broaster Ventless Fryer?
** Allow the unit to cool completely before cleaning or serious burns could occur.
1. Turn power off, disconnect from main power supply & remove access door
2. Remove the food basket & basket lift platform for easy cleaning.
3. Unlatch filter tray & pull tray out with your free hand under the tray & swing tray down 45º. With both hands, pull the tray out towards you.
4. Remove air filter & grease filter from filter tray; set air filter aside so it will not get wet while cleaning other parts. NOTE: The air filter has steam passing through it during the cooking process, let the air filter dry out overnight before reinstalling it into the filter tray.
5. Raise element by placing element arm above element retainer & allow oil to drip from it for a few minutes.
6. Carefully remove cooking pot, pour oil through strainer & filter paper or discard used oil properly. The cooking pot can be cleaned in the sink or dishwasher. When changing oil, soak cooking pot, food basket, & basket lift platform in Broaster’s Cooking Well Cleaner (99500) for a minimum of 15min to a maximum of 12hrs.
7. Remove splash tray for easy cleaning.
8. Wipe element guard & interior of chamber with clean cloth or paper towel to remove any crumbs. Clean walls, floor & ceiling of cooking chamber.
9. Completely clean outside panels with non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner & polish.
10. Product door, food basket, lift platform, cooking pot, filter tray, grease filter, and splash tray can be removed & placed in the dishwasher. If using a dishwasher or soap, you will need to neutralize parts with a vinegar & water solution. *There is no need to neutralize parts when cleaning with Broaster’s Cooking Well Cleaner (99500).
11. Place splash tray & reassembled filter tray back into unit. BE SURE magnet end of grease filter is on the right side of filter tray when in place. Return filtered oil or add fresh oil to Cold Oil Level Line. Replace cooking pot, lower the element into the cooking pot, replace basket lift platform & food basket. Unit is ready to operate.
Jun 6
