Commissary Kitchens in San Francisco
2 commissary kitchens available in San Francisco from $16/hour
commissary kitchen spaces with professional equipment, flexible terms, and everything you need to launch your food business.
Rental Options & Pricing in San Francisco
Typical pricing for commissary kitchens in San Francisco. Actual rates may vary by facility and specific amenities.
| Rental Type | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
Hourly | $25-55/hour | Testing recipes, occasional production, weekend baking |
Daily | $180-400/day | Event catering, market prep, batch production days |
Monthly | $2000-4000/month | Regular production, delivery operations, established businesses |
Most kitchens include utilities, equipment, and insurance in the rental price. Check individual listings for specific inclusions and deposit requirements.
Why Choose Commissary Kitchens in San Francisco?
Commissary kitchens are shared commercial facilities specifically designed for food prep, storage, and commissary operations. Unlike ghost kitchens focused on delivery, commissaries provide essential infrastructure for food trucks, caterers, and food manufacturers who need licensed prep space and storage but operate elsewhere. Commissaries meet health department requirements for food trucks and mobile vendors, making them legally necessary in many jurisdictions. They offer cost-effective access to professional equipment without the commitment of a dedicated kitchen.
Best Suited For
Commissary kitchens are essential for food truck operations (often legally required for prep and storage), catering businesses that primarily work off-site, street food vendors, farmers market sellers, and specialty food producers making products for wholesale. They're also used by private chefs, meal prep services, and bakeries that deliver or sell through third-party channels. Any food business that needs licensed prep space but doesn't require on-site serving facilities benefits from commissary kitchens.
What to Expect
Commissary facilities provide shared commercial kitchen space with booking systems for scheduling your production time. Equipment typically includes commercial ranges, ovens, mixers, slicers, prep tables, and walk-in refrigeration. Most offer individual storage lockers or shelving for dry goods and assigned refrigerator/freezer space. Expect shared dishwashing facilities, loading docks or delivery areas, and sometimes office space or meeting rooms. Utilities, cleaning supplies, and basic seasonings are usually included. Some commissaries offer additional services like packaging supplies, equipment rental, or business mentorship.
Minimum Commitment
Commissary kitchens offer flexible commitments ranging from hourly bookings to monthly memberships. Hourly rentals (typically £20-45/hour or $25-55/hour) have no long-term commitment, while monthly plans often require 1-6 months initially. Many facilities offer package deals like "20 hours per month" that provide better rates than hourly bookings. This flexibility makes commissaries perfect for seasonal businesses, food trucks with variable schedules, or caterers with fluctuating demand.
Access & Flexibility
Commissaries operate on scheduled time blocks rather than 24/7 access. You book specific hours or shifts in advance, typically through online booking systems. Popular times (weekday mornings and afternoons) may require advance reservation, while overnight and weekend slots often have better availability. Some facilities offer guaranteed recurring time slots for monthly members. Unlike private kitchen rentals, you'll coordinate with other users and may need to clean and reset equipment between sessions.
Available Commissary Kitchens in San Francisco
Browse 2 verified commissary kitchens spaces. All kitchens include professional equipment and flexible rental terms.
What is a Commissary Kitchen?
A commissary kitchen in San Francisco is a professional food preparation facility designed for commissary kitchen, commissary kitchens, central production kitchen. These spaces are fully licensed, equipped with commercial-grade appliances, and offer flexible rental terms to help food entrepreneurs start and scale their businesses.
Perfect For:
- food truck
- street food
- catering
- manufacturing
Key Benefits:
- No long-term lease commitment
- All equipment included
- Fully licensed premises
- Scale up or down as needed
- Professional network access
Other Kitchen Types in San Francisco
Commissary Kitchens in Other Cities
Licensing & Regulations in San Francisco
What you need to know before renting commissary kitchens in San Francisco
Food Service License (Required)
All commercial food operations in the US require a Food Service License from your local health department. Requirements vary by state and county, but generally include facility inspection, food handler certification, and fee payment.
Cost: Typically $100-500 depending on location and operation type
Timeline: 2-8 weeks from application to approval
Renewal: Annual renewal required in most jurisdictions
Food Handler Certification
Most states require all food handlers to complete Food Handler Certification training. Some states also require a Food Manager Certification for supervisors.
Food Handler (All Staff)
- Online courses available
- Cost: $10-30
- Takes 2-3 hours
- Valid 2-3 years
Food Manager (Supervisors)
- ServSafe or equivalent
- Cost: $100-200
- 1-2 day course + exam
- Valid 3-5 years
Timeline to Start Trading
Complete Food Handler Training
2-3 hours online, $10-30
Apply for Food Service License
$100-500, includes facility inspection
Health Department Inspection
Scheduled within 2-4 weeks of application
Receive License & Start Trading
1-2 weeks after passing inspection