If you are planning to start a cloud kitchen, The Better India did some homework for you. We spoke to two successful cloud kitchen owners to get some insights into the business.

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1. Have faith and self-belief When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Raji Sakthi from Kerala, like many others, did not lose hope.

She decided to use her cooking skills to start a cloud kitchen under the name ‘From the Kitchen — Homely Foods’. She gets 100 orders per week!

2. Start with small investments According to Raji, in the beginning, smaller investments translate to smaller risks. She advises to keep two things in mind —  “It’s a small homegrown business, so it takes time to see better results, and never expect to make a profit in a month or two.”

3. Know your market and consumers Make sure to conduct proper market research and understand what dishes might work for your consumer base.

“When pricing for a cloud kitchen, consider factors such as ingredient costs, labour, overhead expenses, market demand, and perceived value. It’s crucial to strike a balance between profitability and affordability while ensuring the quality of your offerings,” she says.

4. Innovative menu Hyderabad resident Naaz Anjum who started a cloud kitchen ‘Anjum’s Kitchen’ says that innovating her menu has been great for her business. She started making ‘iftar platter for one’, and introduced seasonal items like panjiri ke ladoo and gond ke ladoo during winter to attract new customers.

5. Spread the word Since it is a small business, affording professional marketing might be an additional cost. Raji suggests, “For a cloud kitchen, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google My Business are essential for reaching potential customers. Always ask customers to review your food and take that feedback into consideration,” she says.

6.  Treat the customer as the king Raji shares that one of the biggest challenges in the cloud kitchen business is establishing brand visibility and attracting customers without a physical storefront. Offering promotions to incentivise first-time orders can be really helpful, she advises.