Delivery-only takeaway from a rented kitchen
Cook a small menu for delivery apps and online orders from a shared or low-cost kitchen, with no shopfront.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
What it is
A takeaway with no customer-facing shop. You prepare food in a rented shared commercial kitchen or a small unit, and sell through delivery apps and your own online ordering. A short menu keeps costs and waste down.
Your first three steps
- Choose a menu that travels well and compare the commission and terms of the main delivery apps in your area
- Look at shared or rental commercial kitchens nearby and compare day rates or monthly costs
- Complete a food hygiene course, register with your local council and test your packaging with real deliveries to friends
Who pays
People ordering at home or work through delivery apps or your own website, often in the evenings and at weekends.
How it makes money
Customers pay per order. Delivery apps take a commission on each sale, so many owners add direct ordering and set prices to cover those fees.
Skills that help
- Cooking a focused menu quickly and consistently
- Online listings, photos and menu descriptions
- Managing food costs and waste
- Handling reviews and order problems
Watch out for
- Register the food business with the council where the kitchen is, and check that the kitchen owner's arrangements cover your use
- Delivery app commission can leave thin margins, so work out your costs per order before pricing
- Allergen information must be accurate on every listing, so check the requirements
- Public liability insurance, and check whether food products liability is included
- Rented kitchen contracts, notice periods and shared space rules
- Competition and reliance on app algorithms for visibility
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: delivery-only takeaway from a rented kitchen
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a delivery-only takeaway?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the kitchen rental, equipment, packaging and set-up. Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your menu, prices and how many orders you receive.
What rules should I check before running a delivery-only kitchen?
Register the food business with the council where the kitchen is, and check that the kitchen owner's arrangements cover your use. Allergen information must be accurate on every listing, so check the requirements. Also check insurance and rented kitchen contract terms.
Can a delivery-only takeaway make a profit?
Delivery app commission can leave thin margins, so work out your costs per order before pricing. Estimates suggest at least around 25 hours a week. Competition and reliance on app visibility are risks, so a short menu helps keep costs and waste down.
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