Dark kitchens

Dat Le, Michael G.H. Bell and Glenn Geers

A chapter in Elgar Encyclopedia of Transport and Society, 2025, pp 108-109 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Dark kitchens, which rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, revolutionised urban transport and logistics by shifting traditional restaurant operations to delivery-centric models. Also known as ghost or cloud kitchens, they focus on meal preparation, pick-up, and delivery without a customer-facing location. Operating through platforms like UberEATS and DoorDash, they optimise food production, reduce costs, and increase delivery efficiency. Configurations include fixed settings, mobile kitchens, and plug-and-play units. While offering benefits, regulatory barriers, risky courier behaviour, and consumer concerns about food safety persist. Future trends may drive innovations in urban space utilisation and sustainable delivery methods.

Keywords: Dark kitchens; Ghost kitchens; Delivery-only kitchens; On-demand delivery; Online food delivery; Meal delivery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035330515
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