The UAE Dark Kitchens/Ghost Kitchens/Cloud Kitchens market size was valued at US$ 330.3 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 821.5 million by 2030, grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.9% from 2023 to 2030. Dark kitchens, also known as ghost kitchens or cloud kitchens, are professional cooking facilities that are dedicated to preparing food for delivery only. They have no dine-in facility and customers can only order the food online via aggregators such as Talabat, Deliveroo, etc. The market is driven by factors such as busy work schedules, convenience, variety of cuisines, and demand for fast food delivery.

The UAE Dark Kitchens/Ghost Kitchens/Cloud Kitchens Market is segmented by business model, type of cuisine, and ordering method. By business model, the market is segmented into independent cloud kitchen, chain cloud kitchen, commissary/shared kitchen, kitchen network, franchise, and food truck cloud kitchen. The independent cloud kitchen segment accounts for the largest share due to low investments and easy scalability.

UAE Dark Kitchens/Ghost Kitchens/Cloud Kitchens Market Drivers:

• Busy Lifestyles and Need for Convenience: The busy work schedules and changing lifestyles of consumers in the UAE are a major factor driving the growth of dark kitchens and online food delivery. Many working professionals have limited time for cooking due to long commutes and work hours. The convenience of ordering food online and getting it delivered within minutes is fulfilling an important consumer need. Dark kitchens allow restaurants to cater to this demand by focusing on quick delivery of food. The hassle-free experience provided by online delivery platforms like Talabat and Zomato makes it the preferred option for time-pressed urban consumers.
• Demand for Multi-Cuisine Food: The multicultural population and expat communities in the UAE create a demand for diverse cuisines like Indian, Arabic, Asian etc. Dark kitchens allow restaurants to serve multiple cuisines from a single location to cater to this varied demand. Instead of having separate physical outlets for different cuisines, a single kitchen facility can be used to prepare food for various restaurant brands focusing on regional cuisines. This allows optimal utilization of real estate and resources. The aggregator platforms also allow easy discovery of specialized cuisine restaurants.
• Cost-effective Expansion for Restaurants: Dark kitchens enable restaurants to expand easily by eliminating the costs associated with dine-in facilities and wait staff. The lower capex and opex allows faster scaling up of operations. Smaller restaurant brands can leverage the shared infrastructure provided by some dark kitchen companies instead of investing in their own facility. Large chains also utilize them to penetrate new locations. Dark kitchens thus provide a cost-effective model for restaurant expansion by focusing exclusively on food preparation and delivery.
• Rising Youth Population and Disposable Incomes: The UAE has a large share of millennials and Gen Z population with high disposable incomes. This young demographic is highly inclined towards convenience, variety and ordering food online. Their high smartphone usage also coincides with the rise of food delivery apps. Higher spending capacities allow these consumers to frequently order food from restaurants. The changing tastes and food habits of younger consumers is thus catalyzing the rapid adoption of dark kitchens in the UAE market.

UAE Dark Kitchens/Ghost Kitchens/Cloud Kitchens Market Opportunities:

• Expansion in Tier 2 and 3 Cities: While dark kitchens are concentrated in large metro cities as of now, there is ample scope for expansion in smaller cities and remote areas in the UAE. High real estate costs and lack of customized meal options are some of the challenges faced by consumers in these regions. Dark kitchens can provide cost optimization needed to penetrate these markets. Their online delivery model is also suitable for lower density areas. Companies can partner with local restaurants and home chefs to expand the availability of multi-cuisine food to tier 2 and 3 cities.
• Innovation in Packaging and Delivery: Innovations in food packaging and delivery mechanisms provide an avenue for brands to differentiate themselves in the crowded food delivery space. Customized packaging can help retain food temperature and quality during transit. Drone delivery, self-driving vehicles and robot delivery are emerging solutions that can make the supply chain more efficient. Dark kitchens combined with such technologies can rapidly deliver food to customers. Companies can also optimize the delivery process using data analytics and aggregation of orders.
• Focus on Health-conscious Consumers: While the bulk of dark kitchens focus on fast food, there is an opportunity to cater to the demand from health-conscious consumers by providing more nutritious and customized meal options. These include salads, health bowls, gluten-free or vegan meals tailored to individual tastes and dietary preferences. Dark kitchens allow preparation of such food with greater flexibility compared to traditional restaurants with standardized menus. The use of fresher and higher quality ingredients also differentiates them from fast food brands.
• Catering to Corporate Clients: Dark kitchens can offer dedicated corporate catering services to offices and business parks by preparing and delivering food customized to employee needs. Office goers with limited meal options around their workplace present a captive market for food delivery brands. Tie-ups with companies also provide them a steady assured demand. Some brands have already begun offering corporate meal plans and catering services as an additional revenue stream.

UAE Dark Kitchens/Ghost Kitchens/Cloud Kitchens Market Restraints:

• Real Estate Costs in Big Cities: While dark kitchens aim to reduce overhead costs associated with traditional restaurants, the high rental costs of commercial real estate in big metro cities still remains a constraint. Acquiring space in prime locations is critical for faster last-mile delivery but the rising real estate prices can dampen ROI for brands. The infrastructure costs are also sometimes higher for dark kitchens given their specialized cooking and storage requirements.
• Low Penetration in Remote Areas: Though dark kitchens are well-entrenched in tier 1 cities of UAE, their footprint in smaller towns and remote areas remain limited as of now. Consumers here have lower access to aggregator platforms and cash on delivery options. Limited awareness on dark kitchen brands also hinders adoption. Operational and distribution challenges in such regions restricts expansion. Companies will need localized strategies to penetrate these markets.
• Operations and Technology Challenges: Operating dark kitchens profitably requires addressing many technology and process challenges including inventory management, data analytics, customized CRM, and workforce management. Lack of specialized solutions and expertise in areas like IoT and AI can affect operational efficiency. Partnerships with food tech companies is essential for brands to gain competitive advantage through technology and analytics.

• Adoption of Smart Kitchen Technologies: Dark kitchens in the UAE are deploying various smart technologies to optimize their operations and enhance productivity. These include automated inventory management, IoT enabled equipment monitoring, AI powered order management and robotic food preparation. Instead of manual processes, smart kitchens leverage data-driven insights to minimize costs and wastage. Their highly streamlined production line also ensures faster order fulfilment.
• Focus on Operational Efficiency: Dark kitchen companies are focused on streamlining their operations and supply chain to achieve prompt delivery with minimal errors. Their use of centralized facilities allows them to plan production schedules, inventory and staff allocation more efficiently. Data analysis also provides insights to optimize the menu and meal preparation based on order volumes and patterns. Partnerships with efficient third party logistics providers also enhances the delivery performance.
• Partnerships with Food Aggregators: Integration with leading online food aggregators like Talabat, Deliveroo, Zomato and Uber Eats is a key trend enabling the rapid growth of dark kitchens. These platforms provide a ready customer base and expand the reach of brands. Aggregators also enable optimized routing and delivery management. Dark kitchen companies rely on such partnerships to acquire customers and scale up swiftly. The commissions paid to aggregators makes customer acquisition more cost-effective.
• Sustainability Focus: With growing awareness on sustainability, dark kitchen brands are aiming to reduce their environmental impact through measures such as use of renewable energy, recyclable/reusable packaging, and minimizing food wastage. Their centralized operations also contribute to lower emissions compared to individual restaurant outlets. Some brands use bicycles for last-mile delivery instead of fuels vehicles. Offering vegan, organic and locally sourced food options further helps in appealing to environment-conscious millennials and Gen Z consumers.

Figure 1. UAE Dark Kitchens/Ghost Kitchens/Cloud Kitchens Market Share (%), By Ordering Method, 2023

COYA Dubai, Freedom Pizza, Project Pie, The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Kitopi, Sweetheart Kitchen, Foody, Dalia Kitchen, OvenFresh, Kaykroo

UAE Dark Kitchens/Ghost Kitchens/Cloud Kitchens Market Overview:

Dark kitchens, also known as ghost kitchens or virtual kitchens, are facilities designed specifically for preparing food for delivery and takeout. Unlike traditional restaurants, dark kitchens operate without a physical dining space for customers. Instead, they focus solely on fulfilling online orders through various food delivery platforms.

In the UAE, the dark kitchens market is likely influenced by the growing demand for food delivery services, particularly given the rise of online food platforms. Factors such as convenience, a diverse range of cuisine options, and changing consumer preferences contribute to the popularity of dark kitchens. These establishments often house multiple virtual restaurant brands under one roof, allowing for efficient use of kitchen space and resources.

Recent Developments

• In January 2022, Kitopi launched its first licensed Kitchen Operating System (KOS) to expand its cloud kitchen services. The KOS allows kitchens to optimize operations.
• In May 2022, Kitopi acquired HyperKuwait to expand its footprint in Kuwait. This supports Kitopi's expansion plans.
• In March 2021, Kitopi raised $60 million in Series B funding to expand its cloud kitchen services in the MENA region. This boosts growth.
• In June 2021, Sweetheart Kitchen opened its first cloud kitchen in Dubai dedicated to delivering biryani. This allowed the company to scale up operations.
• In September 2020, Freedom Pizza launched a pizza vending machine providing contactless delivery in offices and public spaces. It improves efficiency.
• In January 2020, Sweetheart Kitchen partnered with Talabat for online delivery. This increased order volumes for the company.

• By Business Model
  • Independent Cloud Kitchen
  • Chain Cloud Kitchen
  • Commissary/Shared Kitchen
  • Kitchen Network
  • Franchise
  • Food Truck Cloud Kitchen
• By Type of Cuisine
  • Indian
  • Italian
  • Arabic
  • American
  • Mexican
  • Thai
  • Others
• By Ordering Method
  • Online Ordering
  • Phone Ordering
  • In-App Ordering