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Scaling Your Food Business: When to Move Into a Commercial Kitchen

maryjoy019
Apr 14
2 min read

As your food business grows, so do your challenges. What started as a small side hustle in your home kitchen can quickly become too big to handle—and that’s when moving into a commercial kitchen becomes a smart business decision. But how do you know when it’s time?

If you're a caterer, meal prep business, baker, or ghost kitchen owner, renting a licensed shared kitchen like La Chow can help you scale efficiently without the heavy costs of opening your own space. Here’s when and why you should make the move! 1. You're Struggling to Keep Up with Demand 🍽️

✅ Are you getting more orders than you can handle in your home kitchen?

✅ Do you turn down opportunities because of limited space?

✅ Is your current setup slowing down production?

💡 If your business is growing faster than your kitchen can handle, it's time for a professional setup!

2. You're Running Into Legal & Health Code Issues 🚫 Home kitchens have strict health regulations and limitations. If you want to sell food legally, you might need:

📋 Health department-approved workspace

📋 Certified food handling permits 📋 Proper commercial-grade equipment

💡 A shared commercial kitchen like La Chow is already licensed, making it easier to stay compliant!

3. You Need More Equipment & Storage Space 📦

As you scale, you may find yourself outgrowing your home kitchen because: 🍳 You need commercial-grade ovens, stoves, or prep stations. ❄️ Your fridge and freezer are too small for bulk ingredients. 📦 You need dedicated space for packaging and inventory.

💡 A commercial kitchen provides all the equipment and storage you need to grow without major upfront costs!

4. You're Expanding Into Catering, Meal Prep, or Delivery 🚀

If you’re scaling into:

📍 Catering large events

📍 Launching a meal prep business

📍 Running a ghost kitchen or delivery-only brand

💡 You’ll need a commercial kitchen to handle high-volume orders, food packaging, and delivery logistics efficiently.

5. You Want to Grow Without the Overhead Costs 💰

Opening your own brick-and-mortar restaurant or kitchen is expensive. A shared kitchen offers:

✔️ Lower rent & overhead costs

✔️ Access to top-quality equipment without buying it

✔️ Flexible rental plans so you only pay for what you use

💡 La Chow’s commercial kitchen provides a cost-effective solution to scale your business without major financial risks.

6. You're Ready to Take Your Business Seriously ✅

Moving into a commercial kitchen signals that you’re serious about growing your food business. It gives you the professional space, resources, and credibility needed to:

📢 Attract more clients & partnerships

📦 Expand into wholesale or retail

🍽️ Increase efficiency & production

💡 If you're ready to turn your side hustle into a full-time business, a commercial kitchen is the next step!