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Scaling Your Catering Business: The Role of Commercial Kitchens

If you’re a caterer, food truck owner, baker, or CPG startup looking to expand your business, you’ve probably Googled something like: “How to find a commercial kitchen for rent near me” or “Best shared kitchen spaces in Scottsdale”

The good news? You’re in the right place. Scaling your food business starts with finding the right space to grow—and for most food entrepreneurs, that means using a commercial kitchen rental.

Why You Need a Commercial Kitchen to Grow

When starting out, many small food businesses operate from home or in small leased kitchens. But when you're ready to grow, this setup often holds you back.

Here’s why shared kitchen spaces and commissary kitchens near you are critical for scaling:

  • ✅ Compliant and Licensed: A licensed kitchen for food business ensures you're operating legally and passing health inspections.

  • ✅ Affordable Startup Costs: Renting a kitchen is much cheaper than building your own—ideal for bootstrapped startups.

  • ✅ Access to Equipment: Use commercial-grade ovens, prep tables, walk-ins, fryers, mixers, and more.

  • ✅ Flexibility: Most kitchens offer hourly or monthly rentals so you can grow at your pace.

  • ✅ Built-In Community: Network with other local food entrepreneurs and access exclusive vendor discounts.

How to Choose the Right Commercial Kitchen Rental

When looking for a commissary kitchen near me, keep these in mind:

1. Is the Facility Licensed and Health Department Approved?

Only operate in a kitchen that’s fully permitted—it’s essential for catering contracts and legal compliance.

2. Do They Offer Flexible Scheduling?

Look for a facility that offers 24/7 or after-hours access to accommodate catering prep times.

3. Is Storage Included?

Ask about dry, cold, and freezer storage. You’ll need all three as you scale.

4. Is Storage Included—and Secure?

Ask if they offer dry, cooler, and freezer storage, and more importantly:
👉 Are storage units lockable to prevent tampering or theft?
As your business grows, protecting your inventory becomes critical. Look for kitchens that offer individual, secure shelving or cages for peace of mind.

5. Do They Support Growth?

Some shared kitchens (like PREP Kitchens) offer:

  • Business mentoring

  • Networking events

  • Connections to food distributors and vendors

6. Do They Offer Flexible Scheduling—and Is It Online?

Some kitchens still rely on manual scheduling or operate on a first-come, first-serve basis, which can lead to production conflicts or double-bookings.

Real Story: How One Caterer Scaled with PREP®

"I was working out of my home kitchen and couldn’t take on more than a couple events per month. After joining PREP Kitchens, I had access to real equipment and was able to cater a 300-person wedding within my first month. Now I’m booking corporate gigs weekly."
— Carlos, Private Chef and Caterer | Scottsdale Location

 

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What You Need to Start a Food Business Legally

Before you can start selling food—whether you're catering, baking, operating a food truck, or launching a CPG brand—you need to make sure your business is set up legally. While requirements vary slightly by state and county, here are the essentials most jurisdictions require:

  • Business License or Registration – Register your business name and structure (LLC, sole proprietor, etc.) with your state.

  • Food Handler’s Permit – Most states require at least one certified food handler in the kitchen.

  • Health Department Inspection – You’ll need to operate out of a licensed commercial kitchen that passes local health inspections.

  • Food Establishment Permit – Issued by your local health department to legally sell food to the public.

  • Product Liability Insurance – Protects you in case of food safety issues or customer complaints.

  • Sales Tax Registration – Required if your state collects sales tax on prepared food.

  • Approved Kitchen Facility – Most states prohibit home kitchens for commercial food production. You’ll need access to a licensed kitchen for food business operations.

Tip: A quality shared commercial kitchen can often help guide you through the local licensing and compliance process.


Commercial Kitchen vs. Ghost Kitchen: Which Is Right for You?

Feature Commercial Kitchen Ghost Kitchen
Best for Prep, catering, CPG, food trucks Delivery-only restaurants
Storage Yes Limited or none
Flexibility High Often lease-based
Community Strong peer network Minimal interaction

 

Explore PREP® Kitchens in Scottsdale

We offer licensed, flexible, and clean commercial kitchen rentals in Scottsdale built for caterers, bakers, food trucks, and CPG startups. Our facilities are:

  • Health department approved

  • Open 24/7

  • Fully equipped with commercial-grade tools

  • Available by the hour or with monthly memberships

🔗 Take a 3D tour | 🔗 Schedule a visit | 🔗 Explore pricing & services

Ready to Scale Your Business?

🚀 Book a tour of your nearest PREP® Kitchen and see how we can help you grow.

📅 Schedule Now