Where to Make My Food: Types of shared spaces

So, as a new entrepreneur, you want to make your product but you do not want to make it out of your house (either due to food code requirements or just logistics). Here are some options you may want to explore.

1.    Church or Community Center. If you are a very active member in your community or church, this could be an option.

a.    Pros:

                                          i.    It is usually inexpensive or by the hour. Flexible terms (one event at a time)

                                        ii.    You will usually be the only one using it at a time.

b.    Cons:

                                          i.    Equipment is unmonitored and may not work correctly or may be old and not useable for what you need.

                                        ii.    Hourly agreements can go wrong quickly. For example, if a person before you doesn’t properly clean, you will need to do that (and pay for it) before you get started. (See hourly kitchens below)

                                       iii.    You are by yourself; there is no one to help you (all entrepreneurs need teams).

                                       iv.    You have to work around other people’s schedules and bookings for the venue.  Access hours likely limited.

                                        v.    No storage capacity

2.    Restaurant or Catering Kitchen off hours. This is usually using their unused space or allowing you to be in the kitchen when they are not present (like night time/ early mornings).

a.    Pros:

                                          i.    Has more equipment for your use

                                        ii.    Has people around for assistance that are in the industry.

                                       iii.    Models to follow and mentors to talk to

                                       iv.    May allow month to month agreements

                                        v.    May allow “virtual” restaurant models out the back of the kitchen

b.    Cons

                                          i.    Your space could be very limited in the kitchen, especially during service and/or events

                                        ii.    Equipment will likely be heavily used or being used when you need it.

                                       iii.    Storage is likely limited to non-existent

                                       iv.    Busy and crowded

                                        v.    Access hours limited

3.    Unmanaged/ minimally managed Shared Kitchen. This is a shared kitchen setup that does not have staff present regularly. They may have a weekly cleaning service and you usually have to book your time on a workstation.

a.    Pros:

                                          i.    Reliable times (usually).

                                        ii.    Storage capacity.

                                       iii.    Some community (depending on the number of workstations in the kitchen being used at once).

                                       iv.    Hourly rates can be less expensive when business is slow

b.    Cons:

                                          i.    May be difficult to take last minute jobs if you have to schedule time

                                        ii.    May have to clean up after others in order to start working (and pay for that time).

                                       iii.    If you have a long cook product, may be expensive (like stocks).

                                       iv.    Scheduling cooking can be challenging if something goes wrong (i.e. you burn the cookies and have to start over).

4.    Fully Managed/Fully Shared Kitchen/ Food Business Incubator

a.    Pros

                                          i.    Reliable location (usually available for you 24/7)

                                        ii.    Storage

                                       iii.    Deliveries taken

                                       iv.    Business consultants onsite (usually part of membership)

                                        v.    Full community to help you grow your business

                                       vi.    Trading/collaboration on jobs helps your business grow faster

b.    Cons

                                          i.    Sharing equipment with other people may require you to wait/plan for waiting to use equipment

                                        ii.    Equipment sharing also may mean cleaning up another person’s mess.

                                       iii.    Interpersonal skill development is important (and everyone is at different levels).