"How much does a ghost kitchen cost?" is the wrong question. The real question is: which model fits your business? A CloudKitchens lease, a Deliveroo Editions partnership, and a shared kitchen membership are completely different products with completely different economics.
We've compiled real costs from founders who've operated these models—not marketing estimates from sales decks, but actual numbers from people who've signed the contracts.
Real Example: Eric Roldan's CloudKitchens Costs
Roldan's Marina's Bistro struggled to break even, eventually defaulting on the lease. The promised marketing support disappeared, and order volume collapsed. He later succeeded with a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant.Read the full story →
Cost Comparison by Model
CloudKitchens / FoodStars
US / UK
Real example: Eric Roldan paid ~$4,300/month in Chicago
Deliveroo Editions
UK
Real example: Honi Poke, Maki & Ramen use for expansion
Independent Dark Kitchen
UK
Real example: Dephna: from £1,800/month (380 sq ft)
Shared Kitchen / Incubator
UK / US
Real example: Mission Kitchen, Union Kitchen memberships
Virtual Brand (Peckwater)
UK
Real example: Bahri's Kebab House: +16% revenue, zero rent
Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
The monthly rent is just the start. Most operators underestimate these costs by 30-50%:
Platform Commission
15-30%Uber Eats, Deliveroo, Just Eat fees on every order
Packaging
£0.50-2.00 per orderBranded containers, bags, cutlery
Marketing
£500-3,000/monthPlatform ads, social media, photography
Insurance
£500-2,000/yearPublic liability, product liability
Staff
£12-15/hourOften need 2+ people during rush
Utilities Overage
£200-500/monthSome facilities charge extra for high usage
Quick Break-Even Math
Assumptions
- Monthly fixed costs:£6,000
- Average order value:£25
- Platform fee:25%
- Food cost:30%
- Margin per order:£11.25
Reality check: Eric Roldan was getting 1-2 orders per day at CloudKitchens. At 18+ orders/day required just to break even, you can see why so many ghost kitchen operators fail. The math only works with significant existing customer base or marketing spend.
Which Model Makes Sense?
Lower Risk Options
- Shared kitchen membership
Test your concept for £500-2,000/month. Exit anytime.
- Virtual brand partnership
Use existing kitchen capacity. Zero rent, revenue share.
- Deliveroo Editions (if eligible)
Platform brings customers. No fixed rent.
Higher Risk (Caution)
- Long-term ghost kitchen lease
12-24 month commitment. Personal guarantees. Hard to exit.
- Starting from zero customers
Platform algorithms won't save you. Need existing audience.
- Believing the sales pitch
"Break even in 6 months" rarely happens without marketing spend.
The Bottom Line on Costs
Ghost kitchen costs range from £0 (virtual brand partnerships) to £8,000+/month (premium dark kitchen leases). The right number depends entirely on your business model.
But the bigger lesson from founders like Eric Roldan: the monthly rent is the smallest part of the equation. Platform fees, marketing costs, and most importantly, customer acquisition will determine whether you succeed.
Start with the lowest-risk model that lets you test your concept. Graduate to dedicated space only when you've proven demand.
Written by
James Mitchell
Ghost Kitchen Operations Director & Industry Expert