Off-Hours Kitchen Hire in an Existing Commercial Kitchen

Small caterers, market traders, meal prep and baking businesses that need a few regular shifts a week in a compliant kitchen.

Hourly or per-shift hire fees, with extras for storage space and equipment use, shared with the kitchen owner if it isn't yours.

• Scheduling and bookings
• Clear communication and agreements
• Food safety awareness
• Customer service

• Council food registration conditions, check whether other businesses can use the kitchen under the existing registration
• Lease or licence terms that may ban subletting or limit opening hours
• Insurance, check that your public liability and property cover extends to other users
• Allergen cross-contamination and cleaning between users, set clear rules
• Noise and neighbour complaints if cooking happens early or late

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the kitchen you already have access to and what you spend on agreements, equipment and storage. These are estimates, so check your own costs.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many caterers and food startups book your quiet hours and what you charge. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit.

Check your council food registration conditions to see whether other businesses can use the kitchen under it. Also check lease or licence terms that may ban subletting or limit hours, and whether your insurance extends to other users.