What Kitchen United is and who runs it

Kitchen United is a company that owns and operates physical kitchen spaces rented to food businesses that do not have their own location. Unlike a traditional restaurant with a dining room, Kitchen United provides only the kitchen — the food is sold through delivery apps, pickup orders, or catering. The company handles the building, equipment, utilities, and licensing; the food business (called a "tenant" or "operator") handles the cooking and customer service.

Kitchen United was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Los Angeles. The company operates multiple locations across the United States, each one a separate facility with multiple kitchen stations. A single Kitchen United building might house 5 to 15 different food businesses cooking at the same time, each with their own prep space, cooking equipment, and storage.

Key Takeaways

  • Kitchen United rents kitchen space and equipment to food businesses that sell through delivery apps and pickup, not dine-in restaurants.
  • Operators pay a monthly rent fee plus a percentage of their sales revenue, which varies by location and the services included.
  • The company provides the building, equipment, utilities, permits, and insurance; the operator provides the food, recipes, and staff.
  • Kitchen United handles some back-office work like accounting and scheduling software, but the operator is responsible for hiring, training, and managing their own kitchen team.
  • A Kitchen United location typically houses multiple independent food businesses cooking simultaneously in separate stations.

How rent and revenue sharing work

Kitchen United operators pay two types of fees: a base monthly rent and a percentage of their gross sales. The exact amounts vary by location, market demand, and the package the operator chooses. Some locations charge higher base rent with a lower sales percentage; others reverse that balance. An operator should expect to pay somewhere between 20 and 40 percent of gross revenue in combined rent and fees, though this range is not fixed across all locations.

The company also offers add-on services — such as accounting software, scheduling tools, or marketing support — that may increase the total cost. An operator negotiates these terms directly with Kitchen United before signing a lease, usually for a term of one to three years. If the operator's sales drop, the base rent does not drop with it; the operator still owes the full monthly amount.

What Kitchen United provides and what the operator provides

Kitchen United owns the building, pays for utilities (gas, water, electricity), and maintains the shared equipment — ovens, grills, fryers, refrigeration, and prep tables. The company also holds the health permits and liability insurance for the facility itself. Kitchen United handles inspections with the local health department and ensures the building meets all food safety codes.

The operator brings their own recipes, ingredients, packaging, and staff. They are responsible for hiring and training their kitchen team, managing inventory, and handling customer orders through delivery apps or their own ordering system. The operator also pays for their own food costs, labor, and packaging. If the operator wants to use a specific piece of equipment or modify their station, they must request approval from Kitchen United first.

How orders and delivery work

Kitchen United does not take orders or handle delivery itself. The operator must set up their own presence on delivery platforms like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or similar services in their market. The operator can also accept orders directly through their own website or phone. When an order comes in, the operator's kitchen team prepares the food at their Kitchen United station, and the delivery driver (from the app or a third party) picks it up and delivers it to the customer.

Kitchen United may provide a shared pickup area or staging space where drivers collect orders, but the operator is responsible for having the food ready on time. If an order is late or incorrect, the customer contacts the operator, not Kitchen United. The operator also pays the delivery app's commission (typically 15 to 30 percent of the order total), which is separate from what they pay Kitchen United.

Staffing and day-to-day operations

The operator hires, trains, and manages their own kitchen staff. Kitchen United does not provide cooks, prep workers, or managers — the operator must recruit and pay them. The operator sets their own hours, menu, pricing, and quality standards. Kitchen United may set building-wide rules (such as noise limits or cleaning schedules) but does not control how the operator runs their kitchen.

Some Kitchen United locations offer shared services like a general manager or shift supervisor who oversees the building and can help with scheduling or troubleshooting. The cost of these services is usually included in the rent or charged as an add-on. The operator still makes all decisions about their own business — what to cook, how much to charge, and who to hire.

Who typically uses Kitchen United

Kitchen United tenants include established restaurant brands testing a new market without opening a full location, independent chefs launching a food business without the cost of a traditional restaurant, and existing restaurants adding a second concept or cuisine type. Some operators run multiple brands from a single Kitchen United station, switching between menus at different times of day.

The model works best for businesses that can operate profitably with high rent and commission costs — typically fast-casual, ethnic cuisine, or prepared meal services. A business that relies on dine-in customers, alcohol sales, or a strong neighborhood location would not fit the Kitchen United model.

Comparing Kitchen United to other ghost kitchen options

Kitchen United is one of several companies offering shared kitchen space. Other operators include Zuul, CloudKitchens, and Kitopi, as well as independent shared kitchens run by local entrepreneurs. The main differences are location, equipment quality, included services, and fee structure. Kitchen United tends to operate in mid-to-large markets and includes more back-office support than some competitors; other operators may charge lower rent but provide fewer services.

An operator should compare the total cost (base rent plus sales percentage plus add-ons), the equipment available, the location's delivery demand, and the contract terms before choosing. Some locations may be full and have a waitlist; others may offer discounts to fill empty stations. The choice depends on the operator's budget, the food concept, and which markets they want to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need my own food handler's license to work at Kitchen United?

Yes. Kitchen United holds the facility permit, but each person handling food must have their own food handler's card or health permit, depending on your state and local rules. You are responsible for making sure your staff has the correct certifications before they start work.

Can I cook multiple brands or menus from one Kitchen United station?

Yes, many operators run two or three different concepts from the same space — for example, a taco brand at lunch and a dessert brand at dinner. You must keep separate inventory and follow health codes for each brand. Kitchen United may charge extra for this or require separate permits; check your lease and ask before you start.

What happens if I want to leave before my lease ends?

You are responsible for paying rent through the end of your lease term unless Kitchen United agrees to release you early. Some leases include an early termination clause with a penalty fee. Review your contract carefully before signing, as this is a common source of disputes.

Does Kitchen United help me market my food business?

Kitchen United may offer marketing tools or information as part of a premium package, but they do not run your marketing for you. You are responsible for building your brand, getting reviews on delivery apps, and driving customer orders. Some locations have a shared social media presence that features all tenants.

Can I use my own delivery service instead of the big apps?

Yes. You can accept orders through your own website, phone, or a local delivery service. However, most of Kitchen United's customer volume comes from DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub, so relying only on your own channels may limit your sales. Many successful operators use both.