How to Find Renters For Your Shared Kitchen Space

You’ve finally opened your beautiful new shared kitchen—congratulations! Now it’s time to fill it with quality renters who will be long term tenants in your space. This article will walk through key steps like refining your ideal renter profile, improving your online presence, leveraging your network connections, and hosting events to get the word out. Follow these tips to rent out your kitchen successfully and contribute to the growing shared food production economy.

Define Your Ideal Renter

Knowing who your ideal renter is will inform all of your marketing efforts to find renters. Start by thinking about the type of shared kitchen client you want to attract. Important factors to consider include:

• Type of Food They Make: Do you want renters who are baking cookies, prepping meal kits, launching a food truck, or catering events? The equipment and layout your kitchen offers should match the type of food production renters want to do.
• Schedule Needs: When do your ideal renters need access to a commercial kitchen? Early morning, midday, evenings, weekends? Be clear about the hours and days you can accommodate.
• Kitchen Requirements: Does your target renter need access to storage, certain appliances, or special prep space? Know the must-have features that your perfect tenant requires.

Update Your Digital Presence

It's important for potential renters to be able to easily find accurate information about your kitchen space online. Make sure to update your website, social media, and any online listings with professional photos and complete details so renters know exactly what you have to offer.  

• Take high-quality photos of your kitchen space, equipment, and any amenities. Showcase the space when it's clean and empty so renters can envision how they could utilize it.  
• Include photos of any special features like commercial grade appliances, walk-in freezers or refrigerators, unique lighting, etc. Provide multiple angles so renters understand the kitchen's layout and work areas.
• Ensure your website fully describes the kitchen space and its features, rental rates, included supplies/amenities, hours, policies, and contact info.
• Clearly list the kitchen's dimensions, electricity capabilities, ventilation, health department licensing, and any other vital details renters will need.
• Highlight the target renters your kitchen can accommodate based on size and features. Explain the experience you aim to provide.
• Make it easy for interested renters to contact you or book a tour directly through your website.
• Post photos, videos, and details about your kitchen space on all your business social media accounts.
• Showcase client testimonials or events held in the space. Share stories that get renters excited about the possibilities.
• Run social media ads targeted to potential renters like chefs, caterers, food entrepreneurs in your area.
• Link to your website and include online booking or contact options.

Create a Getting Started Promotion

A getting started promotion is a great way to incentivize renters to give your kitchen space a try. Consider offering discounts or freebies to make renting your space more appealing to first-timers. Here are some ideas for promotional offers:

• Discounted First Month: Offer 50% off rent for the first month or deeply discount the first month to attract renters. This allows them to try out your space at a low risk.
• Freebies: Provide free products, credits, or services like free access to commercial grade ovens for a set number of hours, or a free consultation session. These add value without completely discounting the rent.
• Referral Rewards: Encourage renters to refer others by providing a discount, credit, or perk if their referral signs up. For example, offer 25% off rent for 1 month for every referral.
• Limited Time Specials: Create a sense of urgency and excitement by making your promotions only available for a short time, such as 50% off rent for the first 3 reservations made in the next 2 weeks.
• Packages: Bundle rent with other services, credits, or products to increase the overall value. This makes the offer more enticing.

Tap Into Your Existing Network

One of the best ways to find renters for your shared kitchen space is to start with your own connections. Your friends, family members, and professional colleagues likely include aspiring food entrepreneurs, caterers, personal chefs, and others who could benefit from access to a licensed commercial kitchen.

Make a list of all the people you know who may be interested in renting your kitchen space, or who may know someone else that is looking. Reach out directly to them to let them know about your available kitchen rental. Offer them a tour or trial rental as an introduction. Word of mouth referrals can be a powerful way to get the word out within your own trusted networks.

Leveraging your existing connections is an easy starting point before exploring other marketing and promotions. The people who already know and trust you may be eager to take advantage of the opportunity to rent your kitchen space. Start there before casting a wider net.

Host an Open House Event

Hosting an open house event is a great way to showcase your shared kitchen space, meet potential renters, and generate interest. Consider the following tips for hosting a successful open house:

• Give tours of your kitchen space to attendees: Walk them through the layout, point out equipment and features, and highlight what makes your space unique. Allowing potential renters to see the space in person can really sell them on renting from you.
• Provide food samples made in your kitchen: This gives attendees a chance to taste the quality of dishes made in your commercial kitchen. Even better, serve samples of items made by existing renters—this shows off real examples of what can be created in your space.
• Explain your offerings and services: Be ready to answer questions about rental rates, hours, storage options, and anything else renters may want to know. Have brochures, flyers, or other materials on hand to provide more details.

Conclusion

The keys are understanding your ideal renter, spreading the word, and continually finding ways to add value. With some effort upfront and consistently thereafter, you can keep your calendar filled with renters. This additional income can help offset your costs and maximize the return from your investment in a commercial kitchen. Take action on the tips provided to attract quality renters and make the most of your extra space.