We know that growth-oriented food companies often begin their search for new production space by querying terms like “shared kitchen license Chicago” or “shared kitchen rentals”. We have developed this guide to help expedite a hunt for production space in Chicago.
One of the bigger challenges for many growth-mode companies is finding the right kitchen space to accommodate their development. As a critical first step in that search is making sure that your new production space meets the needs of your operations as well as the food safety requirements of the local, state and other health regulators.
The good news is that you can expedite this process by taking advantage of a shared kitchen rental in a multi-tenant facility. These move-in-ready spaces already have in place the infrastructure and finishes required by the State and City Health Departments. These multi-tenant shared facilities come in a number of varieties from hourly or daily shared rentals to complexes like Amped Kitchens that offer full-time, private spaces for dedicated, higher-level production.
Once you have identified the right shared kitchen facility for your business, you will need to obtain a shared kitchen license to begin operations. In order to help you navigate this process, the team at Amped Kitchens has put together this user-friendly guide that outlines the benefits of renting in a shared kitchen and breaks down how to meet commercial kitchen requirements.
Why You Need a Shared or Multi-Tenant Facility
Suppose that you are looking for customizable space for your food operations but do not want to take on the overhead associated with buying (or renting) and building out a stand-alone facility. In that case, shared-use commercial kitchens offer the perfect alternative.
Hourly kitchens give you short-term access to commercial kitchens for small production runs. For food makers with more intensive requirements than hourly time in a shared kitchen can accommodate, facilities like Amped Kitchens offer private production spaces with exclusive preparation and production areas with access to a suite of on-site amenities including storage, packing rooms, loading docks and shared office space.
Renting a shared-use commercial kitchen helps you expedite your growth and reduces the cost of getting started. Facilities like Amped Kitchens take care of all of the infrastructure and facility basics enabling you to enjoy a faster setup and licensing process. This means that you can start using your new space sooner and get your production ramped up to where it needs to be as quickly as possible.
And because the costs are shared across all the tenants of the facility, the shared facility option often represents the most cost-efficient way to get your production going
How to Meet Chicago’s Commercial Kitchen Requirements
Before you begin reaping the benefits of a shared commercial kitchen facility, you will need to meet various licensing and related requirements by following the following steps:
Step 1: Acquire the City of Chicago’s Food Service Manager License
According to the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), food businesses generally must designate a person in charge (PIC) who must be on premises throughout the production process. PICs are required to have a valid CDPH food service sanitation certificate.
The Chicago food service sanitation certificate (or “food service sanitation manager certificate”) can be obtained by attending a training course taught by an approved provider. The course will educate the manager on a range of food safety issues including temperature requirements and proper food handling processes and sanitary and cleaning procedures. A full list of these course providers is available on the Chicago city website. Tuition fees typically range from approximately $150 to $200.
After completing the course, the on-site manager(s) will apply for the food service manager license with the City of Chicago and pay a $45 certification fee.
If you hold a Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certification from another properly accredited program, you may also be able to apply for reciprocity. While you will still have to pay the $45 certificate fee, you will not have to pay for or attend the class.
Step 2: Acquire General Liability Insurance
Shared production facilities require general liability insurance, a standard insurance policy form that protects you, your assets and the owner/operator of the facility from claims regarding a variety of risks that arise in operating a food business.
Rates for general liability insurance can vary greatly in the food production industry based on the size of your operations, the kind of food you make, and a variety of other risk factors. Insurers will also take into account if you are renting space in a facility equipped with the latest food safety and fire suppression equipment.
In searching for a general liability policy, you should always research multiple providers and compare quotes before purchasing. Insurance brokers are often the best way to get the kind of policy at the right policy for your business.
Step 3: Acquire a Shared Kitchen User License
Chicago offers two different shared kitchen user licenses. Any business renting, leasing or utilizing a shared commercial kitchen in the City of Chicago must obtain a shared kitchen license. Unless you only have a short-term need for a kitchen, you will apply for the long-term shared kitchen user license with the City which enables you to produce in your shared kitchen for two years.
The application fee for this long-term license is $330, covering the entire two-year period. When applying for the license, the user must provide each of the following items:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- IDOR account ID
- Social Security number
- A valid City of Chicago Food Sanitation Manager Certificate
- A “Statement of Intent” from the owner/operator
- A menu listing all food items that will be prepared in the space
You can submit your applications online by visiting ChicagoBusinessDirect.org, or in person at the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection’s Business Assistance Center (BAC).
You can find out more information about the BAC process by visiting the link above. They recommend making an appointment before visiting the center to expedite service.
Step 4: Submit a Manufactured Food Application with the State of Illinois Department of Public Health (if you sell Wholesale)
The State of Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates wholesale food manufacturing in the State with the aim of ensuring that foods made in Illinois are properly prepared and properly labeled. The IDPH conducts inspections and surveillance sampling as an agent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The IDPH requires that all food companies that sell food to other entities, such as distributors, grocery stores or restaurants who then sell it to the public must register Register with the Illinois Department of Public Health as a Wholesale and Manufacturing Processing Facility using a Manufactured Food Application to the IDPH.
Check Out Amped Kitchens in Chicago
Amped Kitchens opened in Chicago as one of the country’s premier hubs of culinary innovation. Chicago’s food economy is unparalleled in terms of the size, diversity and quality of food companies located here and offers a uniquely supportive environment for growth and success. Chicago has proven to be an ideal location for Amped Kitchens’ industry-leading model of private commercial food production spaces bolstered by industry-leading amenities including ample on-site storage, loading docks, professional staff and much, much more.
Amped Kitchens provides up-and-coming chefs and food production veterans with the kind of commercial kitchen space to enable them to quickly and cost-efficiently grow their food businesses.
Our premium multi-tenant food complex is located on the northwest side of Chicago. It is just minutes from Albany Park, Logan Square, O’Hare and Oak Park. The facility has 64 food production spaces ranging from 150 to over 4,000 sf, all of which are ready for you to move your equipment in and start production much quicker and more efficiently than any alternative. And each production space at Amped comes with access to our professional staff and gold standard on-site amenities. We are confident that Amped Kitchens is the only choice for any food business serious about ramping up their growth.
If you would like to learn more about our kitchen rentals and to explore leasing opportunities, contact Amped Kitchens today.
