How to Start a Ghost Kitchen in Canada

What Is a Ghost Kitchen (and Why They’re Booming)

Ghost kitchens (also called virtual kitchens or dark kitchens) are delivery-only food businesses without a dine-in space. Orders come through online or via third-party apps, and meals are prepped in a commercial kitchen set up solely for delivery. 

More Canadians want restaurant-quality food delivered fast—and they’re willing to try new, digital-first brands to get it. 

According to the Toast Consumer Preferences Survey 2025, in which 200 Canadians were surveyed on their restaurant preferences, 59% of Canadians who know what a ghost kitchen is have already placed an order. And there’s room to grow: 58% say they haven’t heard of ghost kitchens yet, which means smart restaurant marketing strategies and standout branding could give you a serious edge over your competition.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Start a Ghost Kitchen in Canada

The Canadian restaurant industry is bouncing back, with innovation leading the way. 

Insights from the Toast Voice of the Canadian Restaurant Industry show that 89% of operators expect to grow, 1 in 4 are planning to invest in new tech to boost efficiency, and only 30% of Canadians are satisfied with their dining experiences, creating a huge opportunity for digital-first dark kitchens to stand out. 

If you’re looking for a leaner model than a traditional restaurant that still delivers amazing dining experiences, a ghost kitchen might be your smartest next move.

Checklist: How to Start a Ghost Kitchen in Canada

Here’s a step-by-step playbook for restaurant owners, operators, and entrepreneurs.

1. Choose Your Concept

Start with the “why.” Are you building a new virtual brand from scratch, or extending an existing one into delivery-only? Ghost kitchens in Canada can operate from shared commissary kitchens, leased commercial spaces, or under a franchise or multi-brand model. 

Pro tip: Choose a concept with strong delivery appeal—think comfort foods, fusion ideas, or niche cuisines that travel well and stand out in crowded app feeds.

2. Write a Business Plan

A sharp business plan provides vital guidance for menu strategy, pricing, staffing requirements, and targeted marketing efforts while also securing essential funding from any investors. 

By detailing key operational aspects, the plan creates a roadmap that aligns daily activities with long-term profitability goals and market positioning.

3. Choose a Location

You don’t need foot traffic, but you do need fast delivery access. Focus on high-density areas like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, and Ottawa. 

Keep app delivery zones in mind—Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes all use radius-based logistics, so your address impacts your customer reach.

4. Secure Funding

Expect to invest anywhere from CAD $17,000 to $85,000+, depending on your setup. Key costs include kitchen rental, staff wages, POS systems, delivery app commissions (which can be up to 30%), marketing, and insurance and licensing. 

Look into startup grants or financing options available through local business development centres.

5. Register Your Business and Obtain Licences

To operate legally, there’s a few things you have to do first. Your ghost kitchen must register for a Business Number (BN) with the CRA, apply for a provincial or territorial food service licence, get a zoning permit for your location, and have insurance coverage (liability, fire, and business interruption at minimum).

Helpful links:

• Register your business with the CRA

• Check your province’s food safety requirements

6. Build Your Tech Stack

Your tech is your kitchen’s backbone. The right POS can handle online ordering, delivery integration, inventory management, payroll, and reporting. 

Toast POS is designed for Canadian restaurants, including multi-location brands, virtual kitchens, and independent operators.

See how Gusto used Toast to speed up delivery, streamline operations, and keep their team running smoothly — all from one platform.

7. Develop a Delivery Strategy

Choose between third-party apps, which offer faster setup, wider reach, but higher fees, or in-house delivery, which offers more control and lower long-term costs. 

8. Plan Your Menu and Sourcing

Creating a menu for a ghost kitchen requires a different mindset than traditional dine-in operations. Without a front-of-house experience, your food has to speak for itself—fast, fresh, and consistent from kitchen to doorstep.

Focus on dishes that travel well, keep food costs in check, and offer enough variety to attract repeat customers without overcomplicating operations. Think about the food items that maintain quality during delivery—like grain bowls, noodles, or fried chicken.

Avoid dishes that rely heavily on in-person presentation or are sensitive to temperature and texture changes in transit (because no one wants a warm, soggy salad).

According to the Toast Consumer Preferences Survey 2025, the top drivers influencing Canadians to order from a ghost kitchen are price, menu variety, and packaging quality.

That means guests are looking for value, choice, and care—starting with what they see when they open the bag. Invest in packaging that retains heat, protects presentation, and feels intentional. Clear labeling, recyclable materials, and easy-to-read branding can all improve the unboxing experience and build loyalty.

Pro tip: Partner with a reliable supplier like Gordon Food Service to help manage inventory, streamline reordering, and keep ingredient costs predictable. Having strong supplier relationships also means more support with menu planning, bulk purchasing, and adapting quickly when prices or availability shift.

9. Market Your Ghost Kitchen

You don’t have a storefront—your brand lives online. 

Launch a professional website with SEO-optimized pages (use regional keywords like “Toronto ghost kitchen” or “delivery-only restaurant Montreal”), be active on Instagram and TikTok, set up your Google Business Profile, and encourage reviews and ratings—they’re key to app visibility.

10. Attract and Train Your Team

Even without front-of-house, you still need a rock-solid crew. That’s likely going to include skilled line cooks, delivery staff or app drivers, and kitchen managers. Use tools for remote onboarding, smart scheduling, tip pooling, and performance tracking. 

Toast’s tech trends report shows that staffing, retention, and training are among the top concerns for Canadian operators—so make this part of your strategy from the start.

Canadian Ghost Kitchen Trends to Watch

• Urban delivery is king: Nearly half of Canadians live in urban centres—target dense delivery zones

• Diners are picky: 84% want quality and consistency, and 76% are loyal to restaurants offering loyalty programs

• Promotions work: Reviews and discounts are top drivers for first-time orders

• Canadians want more variety: 19% would order more often if ghost kitchens offered more diverse cuisine

Sources: Toast Consumer Preferences Survey 2025 and Toast Voice of the Canadian Restaurant Industry 2024

What’s Next?

Launching a ghost kitchen in Canada gives you freedom, flexibility, and a future-proof model. With smart tech, a thoughtful brand, and a great delivery experience, you can grow faster with less risk and overhead.