While cloud kitchens offer numerous benefits, they are not without challenges. The lack of face-to-face guest interaction can pose a hurdle to build a brand identity.

The ongoing commitment to innovation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies not only enhance operational efficiency but also influence how food is prepared, packaged, and ultimately delivered.

According to experts, the cloud kitchen market in itself will become a $2 billion industry in India by 2024, as compared to $400 million in 2019.

Virtual kitchens offer several advantages over traditional restaurants. For one, they have lower overhead costs since they don't need to invest in a front-of-house space, furnishings, or staff.

The online food delivery segment in India operates mainly under two business models: Restaurant food through consumer delivery, in which meals are ordered online through a restaurant website and delivered directly by the restaurant.

According to a report by Redseer, the dark kitchens are bound to witness five times the growth in gross merchandise value to $2-3 billion by 2025.

This cloud business strategy is not only visually appealing, but is also a functional and scalable business model.

Even as the pandemic subsides, consumer demand for dark store retail models continues to rise, where actual retail premises are employed not for customers but for the fulfillment of online orders.

To operate a cloud kitchen, the business owner needs to have a license for business operation, alcohol, food service, building occupancy, employer identification number, and employee health.

52 percent of food service operators placed their bets on setting up a Cloud Kitchen or a delivery-only outlet of their brand.