Start-up Brands have to decide what their method of manufacturing will be. The The main reason for working with a commercial kitchen is the lower costs associated with manufacturing. The Lemonaders Team is a co-founder in the new Commercial Kitchens Association (www.CommercialKitchens.org) which is available for any client needs.
Definition: A Commercial Kitchen (Culinary Kitchen, Shared Kitchen, Kitchen Incubator, Food Innovation Center) is a fully stocked prepatory kitchen created for shared-use. Culinary entrepreneurs can rent by the hour or block of time in order to commercially produce food products.

From the Kansas State Department of Agriculture “Commercial Kitchens are food facilities that have multiple users that can be a good resource for small food business startups. The overhead costs of using an incubator kitchen can be much lower than renovating, building, or renting a facility. Many incubator kitchens also have commercial equipment that might be cost prohibitive for a small startup. For “cottage food” (foods made at home for sale directly to the end consumer) businesses, the incubator kitchen provides a separation from personal use kitchens”.

  • Commercial Kitchens can be a non-profit or for-profit operation
  • Commercial Kitchens sometimes have a waiting list due to lack of capacity
  • Commercial Kitchens are sometimes an ideal place to be educated in cooking or baking
  • Some Commercial Kitchens have extended services (mentoring, sales efforts, etc) while most do not
  • A Food Innovation Center is usually associated with a college or an incubator

Graduating From a Commercial Kitchen:   A Commercial Kitchen is ideal for getting food entrepreneurs started but are not long-term solutions (if you are trying to get to be a regional to national business).  They are ideal for getting started with getting products to market locally.  Contract manufacturing or building your own facility is the next logical step in your progression with the business.

Commercial Kitchens traditionally have features such as:

  • Dry Storage
  • Walk-in Cooler(s)
  • Walk-in Freezer(s)
  • Loading Dock(s)
  • 24-Hour Access
  • Hourly Rates
  • Fully Stocked Commercial Restaurant Equipment
  • Cooking Classes
  • Convection Oven(s)
  • Range(s)
  • Broiler(s)
  • Mixer(s)
  • Prep Sinks
  • Dishwaher(s)
  • Cooking Classes
  • Ice Machine(s)
  • Steam Table(s)
  • Retail Space
  • Mobil Cart Storage
  • Potable Water
  • Cutting Board(s)
  • Cooling/Baker Racks
  • Misc. Small Ware (pots, saucepans, bowls, etc)
  • Meat Slicers
  • Scales
  • Ice Cream Makers

Our CommercialKitchens.org Benefits include Creating Opportunities Such As:

For Commercial Kitchens

  • Combined Buying Power
  • New Revenue Programs
  • Other Trade Show Association Partnerships
  • Access to Industry Experts
  • Industry Lobbying Efforts

For Commercial Kitchens

  • Trade Show Coverage
  • Public Relations
  • Access to Website Creation/Marketing
  • Ingredient Sourcing

For Their Clients

  • Full Incubation Programs
  • Marketing and Sourcing Programs
  • Mentoring Programs
  • Access to Our Sales Teams
  • State Ag Programs