Commissary Kitchen vs. Ghost Kitchen: What's the Difference?

If you're launching a food business — catering company, food truck, meal prep service, or delivery-only brand — you need commercial kitchen access. Two options dominate: commissary kitchens and ghost kitchens. They sound similar but serve different needs.

What is a Commissary Kitchen?

A commissary kitchen is a licensed commercial kitchen you rent by the hour. You bring your team, prep your food, clean up, and leave. No dedicated space. No long-term lease. Pay for exactly what you use. Ideal for food trucks, caterers, cottage food businesses scaling up, and anyone who needs certified commercial kitchen access without overhead.

What is a Ghost Kitchen?

A ghost kitchen (also called a dark kitchen or virtual restaurant) is a dedicated space where you operate a delivery-only restaurant brand. You have your own dedicated space — usually in a purpose-built facility — and run delivery orders through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and similar platforms. No dining room. No walk-in traffic. Pure delivery volume.

Which One Do You Need?

Choose a commissary kitchen if: you need flexible hours, you have a food truck or catering business, or you're testing a new concept before committing to a location.

Choose a ghost kitchen if: you're building a delivery-only brand, want a dedicated consistent space, and are ready to commit to consistent volume.