Ghost Kitchens in India: Quietly Powering a Food Revolution 

You may never see them—but you’ve definitely ordered from one. Ghost kitchens, also known as cloud kitchens, are the silent engines behind India’s exploding food delivery market. With online ordering expected to cross ₹1 lakh crore by 2026, the need for efficient, delivery-first kitchen setups has never been higher. 

But while the idea seems simple, the reality is this: 

⚠️ Without the right equipment, layout, and process planning, ghost kitchens quickly become chaotic, inconsistent, and unscalable. 

Let’s break down what really goes into setting up a successful ghost kitchen—and how the right equipment choices can make or break your food brand. 

Why Ghost Kitchens Are Booming in India 

• Low rental footprint – Operate from 150–500 sq. ft. 

• Multiple brands, one kitchen – Run 3–5 virtual brands from a single location 

• Fast scalability – Launch outlets in days, not months 

• Low front-of-house costs – No dine-in, no serving staff 

This lean model suits first-time entrepreneurs, cloud-first restaurant chains, and even hotel groups launching virtual-only brands. 

But none of this works without precise, performance-driven kitchen design. 

5 Equipment Zones Every Cloud Kitchen Must Have 

1. Cold Prep & Storage Zone 

Speed + food safety start here. Your cold zone should have: 

• Prep counters with undercounter chillers 

• Vegetable cutting machines 

• Reach-in refrigerators for perishables 

• Digital food thermometers for compliance 

Why it matters: Preventing cross-contamination and maintaining HACCP protocols is critical in high-volume delivery setups. 

2. Hot Line / Production Zone 

This is the engine room of your kitchen. Based on cuisine, you’ll need: 

• Induction cooktops or gas ranges 

• Flat-top griddles for wraps, rolls, sandwiches 

• Combi ovens for consistent baking/grilling 

• Fryers for snacks, fast items 

• Rice cookers, wok ranges for Indian/Asian menus 

Tip: Modular cooking stations let you switch between cuisines and brands quickly. 

3. Holding & Assembly Zone 

Your delivery promise is only as good as your packaging station. 

• Hot holding cabinets or trolleys 

• Heat lamps for freshly cooked items 

• Order display screens or POS integration 

• Packaging shelf systems 

Pro tip: Standardize your trays, wraps, and boxes across brands to reduce chaos. 

4. Cold Storage & Bulk Inventory 

Think long-term and menu-wide. 

• Walk-in chillers or cold rooms for meat, dairy, sauces 

• Freezers for par-cooked items 

• Vacuum sealing machines for safe storage 

Cost saver: Use glass-top freezers for quick visibility and access. 

5. Cleaning & Hygiene Station 

Don’t skimp here—delivery kitchens are under high scrutiny. 

• SS 3-sink dishwashing setup 

• Oil separators & floor traps 

• Hand wash and sanitiser stations 

• Exhaust hood system with filters 

HAKS tip: We include ETP-compatible designs for kitchens near residential zones. 

Layout Matters: Design Your Ghost Kitchen Like a Flow Chart 

Your cloud kitchen setup should follow a logical production flow: 

Inventory → Prep → Cook → Hold → Pack → Dispatch 

Avoid overlapping routes, and allocate clear zones for each brand if you’re running multiple menus. 

HAKS offers layout and flow design assistance based on brand volume and order mix. 

Ghost Kitchen Setup: Cost Estimates in India (2025) 

✅ Costs vary based on cuisine type, automation level, and brand count. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Q1: Can I start a ghost kitchen from home? 

 Legally, it’s tricky. You’ll need FSSAI licensing, fire safety clearance, and hygiene compliance—easier in a commercial kitchen space. 

Q2: What’s the ideal number of brands to run from one ghost kitchen? 

 Start with 2–3 virtual brands. Scale once your team and layout are optimized. 

Q3: What equipment is needed for Indian menus in cloud kitchens? 

 Induction burner, pressure cooker, rice cooker, tandoor (electric/gas), prep counter, and hot holding unit. 

Q4: Does HAKS offer cloud kitchen consulting? 

 Yes. HAKS provides kitchen design, equipment planning, and installation services tailored for delivery-first brands across India. 

Q5: How fast can I launch with a HAKS setup? 

 Typically within 3–4 weeks, depending on site readiness and scale. 

Build a Delivery-First Kitchen That’s Built to Scale 

Cloud kitchens aren’t just a trend—they’re the future of food service. But building one that’s efficient, scalable, and profitable needs more than a good menu. It demands precision kitchen engineering, optimised layout, and reliable support. 

HAKS helps delivery-first brands across India with: 

• Turnkey cloud kitchen setups 

• Modular equipment packages 

• QSR and multi-brand kitchen design 

• Service + AMC post-installation 

Visit the HAKS Experience Centre in Delhi or reach out for a consultation. 

We’ll help you identify what’s slowing you down — and show you what better can look like. 

📍 HAKS Experience Centre – Delhi 

 B-56, 1st floor, Naraina Industrial Area Phase-2, New Delhi, 110028 

 📩 info@haks.co.in | sales@haks.co.in 

 📞 +91-9810571068 | 9560085328