Cloud kitchen in India

Abstract

At present, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality sector is in the midst of a severe financial crisis. The profit-making units are currently fighting a losing battle to keep themselves in existence. Sanitation, hygiene, and thermal scanning will also be evaluated by "conscious consumers," ceteris paribus. The pandemic will, in general, change consumer behaviour in a manner that is comparable to standard restaurant selection criteria. Given the circumstances, it will also be challenging to guarantee "customer delight" and "experiential food memory." In the past, researchers have investigated a variety of selection criteria for restaurants, but researchers anticipate that consumer behaviour will change during and after COVID-19. Therefore, in order for restaurants to continue operating, making money, and being successful, they need to investigate the various possibilities that are available to them. Due to this, there has been increased adoption of delivery-based business models. While exploring such options, the concept of Cloud Kitchen, i.e., the preparation of food and delivery at the doorstep, seems like the way out for existing restaurants until the situation normalises. However, with the survival motive, the business has explored the Cloud Kitchen-based business model and operations. The concept of Cloud Kitchen was introduced by Rebel Foods in India in 2003. After many years of its introduction in India, the business of Cloud Kitchen seems to be thriving in the time post-pandemic with many factors supporting such a shift. A lot of our customers, restaurateurs, and the media are still unsure of what the "cloud kitchen" service actually entails. This new term, "cloud kitchens," is being applied to a wide range of business models without a clear consensus on what it means. The term "Cloud kitchen" has become popular in today's internet-centric society, as members of Generation Y expect instantaneous access to most amenities. As the name implies, a cloud kitchen is a takeout-only eatery. These eateries do not provide table service. Meal preparation is the only activity that takes place in these establishments. Restaurants exclusively accept takeout orders online and the food is delivered to the customers. Some well-known Cloud Kitchens are Fassos, Chaayos, Mad Over Donut, Yumist, Spoonjoy, Box8, ITiffin, Biryani by Kilo, FreshMenu, Eatlo, Hello Curry, etc. In this project, we examined the concept of Cloud Kitchen from a first-principles standpoint and contemplated all the commercial aspects of the decisions that go into establishing and successfully running a Cloud Kitchen-based business.