Growth Kitchen, a food technology company that assists restaurants in expanding their delivery services nationwide without the need for physical locations, has announced plans to achieve over £100 million in annual sales within the next five years. The company is capitalizing on the surging demand in the under-pressure food sector.
Unique Concept
Founded by Mate Kun and Tom Gatz, Growth Kitchen enables brands to enter new food delivery markets by sharing kitchen space with established restaurants and hospitality firms. Mr. Gatz described the concept as the "Airbnb of professional kitchens," offering a way for businesses to reach new customers across the UK without the heavy investment required for traditional brick-and-mortar sites.
Expansion and Growth
Growth Kitchen has recently signed national chains such as Tortilla, Coco di Mama, and Little Dessert Shop, adding to existing partners like The Athenian, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, Coqfighter, and Beer & Burger. The company's network now includes 150 host kitchen partners, processing over one million orders annually. After more than doubling its turnover last year, Growth Kitchen is on track for approximately £30 million in sales this year, with ambitions to reach £100 million in three to five years. Plans include adding more restaurant brands and doubling the number of host kitchen sites to 300.
How It Works
Restaurant brands provide their recipes, menus, and operational standards, while Growth Kitchen manages the delivery launch—from sourcing and training host kitchens to launching menus on platforms like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat. An AI-driven platform helps optimize delivery performance. Host kitchens benefit from utilizing unused space and generating additional revenue. Restaurant brands pay no rent; instead, a share of order takings goes to the kitchen operations.
Market Context
Mr. Gatz noted that while the concept was driven by the growth of food delivery, challenging conditions for restaurants have accelerated demand. He stated, "Restaurant brands see the opportunity, regardless of the current climate. They view this as a long-term opportunity to scale with food delivery operations. However, current trading conditions may be accelerating adoption, as brands seek new ways to grow, make profits, and expand awareness across the UK."
He highlighted issues such as rising wage costs, energy expenses, and food cost increases due to the Iran war. "Employment and people costs are so high because of changes made here. This model helps them avoid taking on as many teams," he added.
Call for VAT Reduction
Mr. Gatz urged the government to lower VAT on food and drink to align with other European countries, easing financial pressures on the hospitality sector. "Compared to many European peers, the UK's VAT on food is much higher. This simple measure would enable the sector to be more competitive, improve profitability, and hire more people," he said.
Future Plans
Growth Kitchen is focusing on UK expansion but aims to take its concept to other countries, targeting the Americas or Europe in the coming years.
