FAQs

Kitchens: Almost any kind of small or medium commercial kitchen can list their space on the Gohost platform. Most restaurants, bakeries, cafés, church kitchens, shared kitchens and commisary kitchens will work.

Event space: Any restaurant with a dining area can list their space on Gohost. But it isn’t restricted to indoor space. Restaurant patios and other outdoor dining areas can also be listed on the Gohost platform.

A food entrepreneur is someone who creates new food products or businesses. This can include anything from developing foods to sell at grocery stores to starting a restaurant. Food entrepreneurs often have a passion for food and cooking, and they may also have experience working in the food industry. However, it is not necessary to have a culinary background to be a successful food entrepreneur.

The types of food businesses that rent commercial kitchens through Gohost include people who produce things for:

• Food trucks
• Cafés
• Custom cakes and cupcakes
• Meal kits
• Ready to eat meals
• Packaged foods and snacks
• Caterers
• Personal chefs
• Ghost kitchens (see below)
• Virtual kitchens (see below)
• Concession stands
• Pop-up restaurants

There are many different ways to get involved in the food industry, and there are plenty of resources available to guide you through the challenges of owning a food business and bringing new products to market successfully. In addition, food entrepreneurs need a strong understanding of food safety and regulations.

If you have an idea for a new food product or business, don't be afraid to pursue it. With dedication and hard work, you can turn your passion for food into a successful career.

No, they don’t. Hosts are free to rent their kitchen or dining room as they see fit.

When it comes to renting out kitchens or dining areas, we want to make sure that we're setting everyone up for success. That's why we ask all renters requesting kitchen space to provide proof of insurance, and indicate their previous kitchen experience and whether they have a clean criminal record. This helps to ensure that they have the skills and background necessary to safely and effectively use your space.

Above all, we find that those who register with Gohost are the kind of responsible renters who will respect the spaces they rent and treat them like they are their own. Gohost renters are food entrepreneurs who are striving to build their business just like the people they’re renting from.

Of course, we understand that wear and tear can happen in any kitchen and dining environment, and sometimes things can break. That’s why we also require a security deposit before any renter steps inside a kitchen or dining room they hire.

No they don’t. Some hosts prefer to be on-hand in case there are any questions or problems, while others prefer to leave their renters to use the space without interruption. It's totally up to the restaurant owner and what makes them feel most comfortable.

If you’re a restaurant owner who’s renting your space to someone for the first time, we highly recommend you or someone on your staff is there to greet them and show them your opening and closing procedures. This will help to ensure that everything goes smoothly and that the renter knows what to expect.

If you do choose to step out, there are a few ways to monitor activity in your space, such as setting up security cameras or using key cards. This can give you peace of mind that everything is running smoothly and your space is secure even when you're not there.

Renters: Yes, it’s up to you how often you want to rent kitchen space, depending on availability. Some hosts may have minimum rental times, but we can usually connect you with a space that meets your requirements. But with short-term, occasional, flexible rental arrangements, you may also need to be flexible with your expectations and requirements.

Restaurant owners: Yes, it's entirely up to you how often you want to rent out your kitchen and for how long. Some hosts will set a minimum rental time, while others will be more flexible and let renters choose the length of their stay. Ultimately, it all comes down to what works best for you and your schedule. If you're only interested in renting out your kitchen for a couple of hours a week, that's perfectly fine.

And remember, you can always change your mind down the road if you find that you're getting too many requests or not enough bookings. The important thing is to just go with what feels right for you.

These terms have become popular within the food industry recently, and can often be mistaken or mixed up. For example, the terms “ghost” kitchen and “virtual” kitchen are often used interchangeably. But in fact, they are separate ways of running a business.

A ghost kitchen (also known as a “cloud” kitchen or “dark” kitchen) is a kitchen that is set up for the purpose of preparing food for delivery or take-out, but does not have a dining area for customers to eat in. They provide a cost-effective way for restaurants to expand their reach without the need to invest in brick-and-mortar locations. Ghost kitchens are becoming increasingly popular as more and more people order food online or through delivery apps. They also allow businesses to test new menu items, concepts, and markets without the commitment of opening a new restaurant. You can see more about ghost kitchens here.

A virtual kitchen might be better thought of as a virtual brand:

• It’s a delivery-only brand that operates within a restaurant’s existing kitchen and alongside its existing menus
• Multiple brands, menus and dishes can be created in the same kitchen by the same staff
• These menus are often created under other popular brand names, but they can also be completely unique creations
• There can be many different virtual brands and menus being created in the same physical location

You can learn more about virtual kitchens here.

A shared kitchen is a certified commercial kitchen that is rented out to individuals or businesses on an hourly or daily basis. A shared kitchen can vary widely in size from a small take-out restaurant with kitchen space available to rent on certain days and times, to large commissary kitchens open to foodservice businesses and entrepreneurs. They are typically equipped with appropriate appliances, prep areas, and storage space, where foodservice providers can safely and legally prepare, cook, and store food.