Cost of Mobile Kitchen in South Africa

Due to the recent intersection of mobile tech advancements, the rise of the gig economy, and the challenges of navigating a post-COVID world, mobile kitchens have exploded in popularity. Mobile kitchens allow many types of existing food service businesses to expand operations, improve service, and continue to thrive despite increased consumer hesitation to eat out in traditional dine-in spaces. Additionally, they provide new entrepreneurs with a way to enter the foodservice industry without opening or buying a brick-and-mortar location. However, there is a lot to consider before investing in a cloud kitchen, whether you’re an established business or an aspiring restaurant entrepreneur.

What is a Mobile Kitchen in South Africa?

A mobile kitchen is actually modified vehicle containing built-in cooking equipment (such as grills, deep-fryers, and refrigeration equipment) and storage space for food and utensils. Mobile kitchens allow for flexibility in menu and location, as well as satellite delivery options.

Who uses a Mobile Kitchen in South Africa?

Caterers

Catering businesses often have to rent cooking equipment or build temporary kitchens to serve their customers. But with a mobile kitchen, they can prepare food on site and have a mobile back of house kitchen for any event. Catering companies can drive their cloud kitchen to their client’s location and serve food much faster.

Brick-and-Mortar Restaurants

Brick-and-mortar restaurants that want to reach their customers faster would benefit from a mobile commercial kitchen, as you can position them close to your target customers. A mobile cloud kitchen will also allow you to test-drive new locations and evaluate demand before building a new brick-and-mortar location. If you notice a consistent number of orders in a certain section of the city, for example, you might consider building a new location there.

Virtual Restaurants/Cloud Kitchens

Virtual restaurants and cloud kitchens can cut delivery times and improve customer satisfaction in areas where they receive a substantial number of orders by placing a mobile kitchen in those areas. Like their brick-and-mortar counterparts, virtual restaurants can also relocate to certain parts of the city to drum up more business.

What is the Size of a Mobile Kitchen in South Africa?

The size of your mobile kitchen will determine where you can park and what types of events you can attend.

Food Trailer – the largest in size, ranging from 8-53 feet long and 7-8 1/2 feet wide
Food Truck – usually ranges from 10-26 feet long and 7 feet wide
Food Cart – smallest in size, ranging 4-7 feet long and 2-6 feet wide

How much does Mobile Kitchen Cost in South Africa?

In South Africa, the cost of a mobile kitchen could vary considerably. However, on average a mobile kitchen can cost between R7, 700 to R39 000 depending on the size and other factors.