Top 10 Cloud Kitchen Franchise Opportunities in India

The food sector in India is being transformed by a key trend: the growth of cloud kitchens. Alternatively known as ghost kitchens or virtual kitchens, they provide meals only for delivery customers and lack dining facilities. As people increasingly use Zomato and Swiggy for ordering meals, more people are looking for fast, affordable, and delicious food. As a result of changing consumer habits, cloud kitchen franchise has become one of the leading business opportunities in India.

Being your boss and serving delicious food are the highlights if you open a cloud kitchen. With no dine-in, less is spent on setting up and operating a restaurant, which is good for smaller investors. Cloud kitchens are growing at a fast pace, not only in the big cities but also in newer urban centers. Find out about the finest 10 cloud kitchen franchise opportunities in India, comparing their business models, investment requirements, available support, and best locations.

Understanding the Cloud Kitchen Phenomenon in India

Cloud kitchens are changing how food and hospitality are experienced in India. These places are often called ghost kitchens or virtual restaurants and are designed solely for preparing food that is delivered. As food delivery gets more popular, cloud kitchens are growing in popularity due to the rising demand for quick and convenient meals.

Unlike restaurants, where customers can dine in, cloud kitchens are run and operated without fancy locations or expensive interior designs. They run their business from modest spaces that are dedicated to preparing takeout meals. By using these, businesses significantly decrease their rent, labor, and maintenance fees while still producing healthy foods.

In cities across India, people are drawn to cloud kitchens because they offer a convenient way to buy food. They handle different types of cuisines, provide fast service, and charge sensible prices without being noticed.

Additionally, the format of the business can attract more people to join. If you are looking to start a kitchen, you can partner with existing food brands to ease the process. This tool comes with brand recognition, training, marketing, and operational benefits.

The rise in tech and shift in food habits are making cloud kitchen one of the Best Franchise Businesses In India.

Why Choose a Cloud Kitchen Franchise?

Those considering starting or investing in a business in India’s food industry may find franchise opportunities in cloud kitchens very attractive. How to start a cloud kitchen often involves choosing a franchise model, which means you profit from a tried-and-tested brand, so the risks are smaller than when you launch your own business. Those who purchase a franchise benefit from the franchisor’s experience with creating menus, certain practices, marketing, and helping customers.

Cloud kitchens are highly attractive due to their cost savings. These AI solutions allow businesses to save on rent and full-time staff in the front office. Therefore, cloud kitchens are good for businesses that want to save money and quickly grow, particularly in cities and small towns. Furthermore, franchisors provide help such as staff training, maintaining supply chains, granting licenses, and supporting food delivery services with Zomato and Swiggy.

The franchise model for cloud kitchens makes it simple to grow the business to other areas quickly. After the pandemic, people turned to doorstep meals, making cloud kitchens a trend and the future of the food service industry in India.

Quick Comparison of Top Cloud Kitchen Franchise Available in India

Brand	Investment Range (INR Lakhs)	Support Offered	Ideal Locations	Estimated Profit Margin (%)
BOX8	15-20	Brand building, supply chain, tech, marketing	Tier-1 & Tier-2 cities	15-20%
Faasos	10-18	Menu planning, supply chain, training, marketing	Campuses, metro cities	18-22%
Rolls & Bowls	8-12	Kitchen setup, training, recipe standardization	Residences, offices, campuses	15-20%
The Rolling Plate	5-10	Central operations, marketing, training	Small to medium cities	18-25%
WarmOven	7-10	Recipes, online platform, marketing	Urban homes, event venues	20-25%
Vidli Cloud Kitchen	6-9	Inventory, logistics, training, marketing	Business districts, schools	15-20%
Behrouz Biryani	15-25	Packaging, kitchen help, marketing, training	Metros and urban areas	20-25%
FreshMenu	10-15	Technology, chef training, supply chain, advertising	IT hubs, wellness areas, offices	15-20%
Rebel Foods	20-30	Backend ops, multi-brand management, marketing	Metro cities	18-22%
Kouzina	10-20	Systems, marketing, staff training, supply coordination	Residential and commercial hubs	15-20%

Top 10 Cloud Kitchen Franchise Opportunities in India

1. BOX8

BOX8 specializes in local Indian cuisine, creating tasty biryanis and new types of wraps. By concentrating on technology and customer satisfaction, BOX8 uses a cloud kitchen model that makes sure food is delivered quickly and is always of high quality. Because this brand delivers fresh meals at a fair price, it has gained popularity among people living in urban areas. BOX8 uses technology to make sure that customers can place orders and track deliveries smoothly.

As tastes and demands change, the brand makes sure to update its menu regularly and keep ahead in this industry. Being used in both Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities reveals that it works well whether the market is big or small.

• Investment Details: The required initial investment for a BOX8 cloud kitchen franchise is INR 15 to 20 lakhs, which includes fitting the kitchen with equipment, paying licensing fees, and getting the working capital necessary to launch.
• Support Offered: Franchisees are assisted through every step of the process, from brand creation to supply chain handling, tech solutions for orders, employee training, and ongoing marketing activities to increase customer base.
• Ideal Locations: Such services are best in places like Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities where the demand is high, especially in places where people live and work.

2. Faasos

Faasos, run by Rebel Foods, is famous in India for serving a variety of wraps, biryanis, and classic Indian food using its cloud kitchen model. Faasos has improved efficiency in the foodservice industry by skipping dine-in options and focusing only on delivering orders. The business has become popular thanks to its focus on good ingredients, new-style recipes, and fast service in big cities. Modern technology helps Faasos complete orders fast and efficiently, even when the restaurant gets very busy. Due to their powerful marketing approach and updated menu, Faasos keeps attracting those in search of tasty and easy food.

• Investment Details: Usually, the amount needed for investment is between 10 and 18 lakhs and covers setting up the kitchen, buying materials, and running the first advertisements.
• Support Offered: Faasos supports its franchisees with assistance in planning their menu, helping them connect to food delivery apps, handling their supply chains, and providing training in operations.
• Ideal Locations: Places like campus areas and large cities where students and residents need quick and cheap food.

3. Rolls & Bowls

Rolls & Bowls has gained popularity for its variety of delicious rolls and rice bowls that are perfect for the young, modern menu. This brand values affordability and provides items that taste good and are of high quality. Rolls & Bowls has a unique menu that makes it a perfect stop for workers in the office as well as students dining on campus. The company uses a model to prepare and deliver food quickly, improving how customers interact with its brand. The business has seen rapid growth by attracting people interested in health and saving.

• Investment Details: The cost of investing can be from 8 to 12 lakhs and covers the cost of a kitchen, its equipment, and promotions.
• Support Offered: Franchisees receive kitchen setup aid, team training, recipe standardization, and constant support for digital marketing.
• Ideal Locations: Perfect for areas surrounded by residences, work places, and universities always needing fast and cheap food.

4. The Rolling Plate

The Rolling Plate helps entrepreneurs manage various food brands together in one kitchen to offer customers more options. It is famous for changing its choices to appeal to those who like Indian, continental, or fast food. Because of its centralized kitchen approach and technology features, delivering orders is done smoothly and efficiently.

The reason for its quick rise is that it has easy-to-manage franchises with few regulations, so even small business owners can join. Ensuring consistency across brands and good customer experience is what Rolling Plate focuses on with its quality control.

• Investment Details: Investing in a franchise costs anywhere from INR 5 to 10 lakhs and offers a quick break-even possibility.
• Support Offered: Get help from central operations, branding specialists, experts in marketing campaigns, and access to training modules.
• Ideal Locations: Search for places that are small or medium in size and have a growing food delivery market.

5. WarmOven

WarmOven is best known for delivering fresh cakes, pastries, and desserts through a cloud kitchen model. It is designed on a made-to-order model, so everything is fresh and unique to the occasion, hence very popular for parties, celebrations, and special events. The company is responding to the increase in demand for high-quality desserts delivered right to one’s home.

Having a cloud kitchen franchise instead of a conventional bakery makes WarmOven more cost-efficient by avoiding the expenses of storefronts, while their products are still of good quality. Urban customers are attracted to the company through the effective use of digital platforms.

• Investment Details: The investment required is between INR 7 to 10 lakhs, covering the price of the bakery equipment, the cost of stocking ingredients, and setting up marketing.
• Support Offered: Franchisees get guidelines on recipes, access to an online platform, help with providing meals, and marketing advice.
• Ideal Locations: These signs are ideal in cities, at homes, and in places like halls used for parties and banquets.

6. Vidli Cloud Kitchen

Vidli Cloud Kitchen is a part of Vidli Restaurants and specializes in many dishes that are tasty, clean, and inexpensive. The main customers are businesspeople and students, who are there for speedy and filling meals. Vidli uses a cloud kitchen, which can serve different brands from the same place and ensures smooth delivery. People know the brand for how carefully it handles products, manages stock, and ensures customers are pleased. You can choose from a range of food styles, Indian, continental, and fast food, at the restaurant. Vidli is dedicated to giving its customers affordable meals that don’t compromise quality.

• Investment Details: Investors will need to spend between INR 6 to 9 lakhs, and this includes the initial kitchen setup, provision of ingredients, and launch marketing.
• Support Offered: Assistance is given via inventory control, logistics, staff training, and marketing.
• Ideal Locations: The product fits well at any busy business district, school, or spot with numerous professionals and students.

7. Behrouz Biryani

Rebel Foods owns the popular brand Behrouz Biryani, which offers food made from premium and authentic recipes. The brand tries to reach consumers who value gourmet, take-out biryanis. Thanks to these qualities, Vegetarian Biriyani stands out amongst its competition. The business can expand rapidly due to its model of centralized kitchens and maintain high-quality standards. The fact that Behrouz Biryani has a strong presence on social media and loyal brand supporters is why its expansion continues in metro and urban areas.

• Investment Details: To invest in this franchise, one should expect to spend between INR 15 to 25 lakhs, depending on the quality of the kitchen.
• Support Offered: The franchise system provides franchisees with support for packaging, kitchen help, brand marketing, and training.
• Ideal Locations: Cities with a high population and good economic status where people expect fast and quality food delivery.

8. FreshMenu

At FreshMenu, you can find dishes created by top chefs, as well as salads, sandwiches, and creative meals for people following a healthy lifestyle. The company is known for having fresh products, seasonal items, and fast delivery services as it operates as a cloud kitchen. FreshMenu makes use of data analytics to perfect its menu and process its orders. It is chiefly dedicated to busy and health-conscious people who want food that is not just good for their bodies, but also delicious. Food quality and hygiene are a top priority for the brand in India, which has made it very popular with deliveries.

• Investment Details: Investment in this business involves putting in between INR 10 to 15 lakhs to equip the kitchen, buy stock, and promote the business.
• Support Offered: Franchisees gain access to integration with technology, training for chefs, support for supply chains, and advertising help.
• Ideal Locations: Desirable places are found in busy IT districts, wellness-focused buildings, and office areas.

9. Rebel Foods

Rebel Foods operates as India’s largest internet food company, offering meals through a variety of cloud kitchen brands, including Faasos, Behrouz Biryani, and Oven Story. With the help of Rebel Foods, operators can manage several brands from the same kitchen and serve a wide variety of meals. The technology being used streamlines order handling, communications with customers, and shipping.

Rebel Foods heavily spends on R&D, marketing, and quality assurance work to assist franchisees in making local brands thrive. With its many brands, it can attract various kinds of consumers and reach a wide market.

• Investment Details: Investment guidelines require from INR 20 lakhs to 30 lakhs, depending on whether you choose more brands and a larger kitchen area.
• Support Offered: Supports clients with backend operations, training for staff, marketing help, technology, and assistance for different brands.
• Ideal Locations: Choose areas close to metro cities, especially if food delivery is high there.

10. Kouzina

There are three brands under Kouzina’s management in a cloud kitchen, including WarmOven, KaatiZone, and Cupcake Bliss, for the widest range of options available to customers. The brand covers a wide range of tastes with baked foods, Indian street dishes, and desserts. Kouzina aims to provide high-quality work, combine technology well, and ensure efficient delivery. This method ensures that existing facilities are full, making more money for their owners. Many people in Kouzina are drawn to this area because of its lively streets and countless food choices.

• Investment Details: For a fair investment, one should look forward to spending INR 10 to 20 lakhs on kitchen setup, technology, and launch promotions.
• Support Offered: Systems, marketing plans, staff training, and coordination of supplies are all provided by the franchisor to franchisees.
• Ideal Locations: Good for areas with many residents and businesses, as well as places that get lots of people.

Investment and Cost Considerations for a Cloud Kitchen Franchise in India

Cost Component	Description	Estimated Cost (INR)
Initial Franchise Fee	Fee for brand access and support.	₹3,00,000 – ₹10,00,000
Setup Costs (Kitchen & Interiors)	Equipment, wiring, plumbing, lighting, and decor.	₹5,00,000 – ₹15,00,000
Monthly Royalty Fees / Revenue Share	Percentage of revenue paid monthly for brand use.	5% – 10% of monthly revenue
Staff Salaries	Wages for chefs, staff, cleaners, and delivery team.	₹40,000 – ₹1,50,000 per month (total)
Utilities	Electricity, water, gas, and equipment operation costs.	₹15,000 – ₹40,000 per month
Packaging Expenses	Food packaging and branded materials.	₹50,000 – ₹1,50,000 monthly
Tech & POS Subscriptions	Order, payment, and delivery management software fees.	₹5,000 – ₹20,000 per month
Marketing & Launch Promotions	Ads, influencer partnerships, and launch events.	₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 (initial phase)
Working Capital	Funds for 3–6 months of operating expenses.	₹3,00,000 – ₹7,00,000
Licenses & Permits	FSSAI, GST, fire safety, and local permits.	₹20,000 – ₹1,00,000 (one-time/renewals)

• Initial Franchise Fee: The Initial Franchise Fee (Ranging from INR 3 to 10 lakhs) provides access to the parent brand’s name and business system. The charge is decided based on how well-known the brand is and what sort of support they can offer.
• Setup Costs for Kitchen Equipment and Interiors: Expenses for Kitchen Equipment and Decor (INR 5 to 15 lakhs). Services are provided for different kinds of interior work, including wiring, lighting, plumbing, storage, and designing the space for optimal cloud kitchen operations.
• Monthly Royalty Fees or Revenue Share: Typically, franchisors charge monthly royalty fees or collect a share of the monthly earnings (often 5% to 10%) for using the brand and receiving regular support. Brand and contract details determine the cost range.
• Staff Salaries: The directly hired kitchen staff, chefs, cleaners, and delivery coordinators will be given a set wage. How much a company pays employees is influenced by where the business is and the level of staff required.
• Utilities: A monthly account is needed for kitchen gadgets, lighting, water, and gas. Managing energy well can help cut costs.
• Packaging Expenses: Purchase of quality packaging, branded materials that are vital for maintaining food safety, hold heat, and improve the look of products. The price is determined by the amount ordered and the required packaging.
• Technology Platform Subscriptions and POS Systems: Users need to pay subscription fees monthly or yearly to manage online and offline orders, process payments, and connect to different delivery partners. The tools make it easier to handle and monitor orders and their delivery.
• Marketing and Launch Promotions: Marketing and launch promotion expenses involve Facebook and Instagram ads, teaming up with famous individuals, sales, and holding launch activities.
• Working Capital: Funds saved for 3 to 6 months to meet expenses for salaries, refilling inventory, power, and other unplanned costs before earning enough cash to operate.
• Licenses and Permits: You need these to follow the law:
  • FSSAI License: A food safety certificate issued by FSSAI checks the cleanliness and quality of food.
  • GST Registration: Being registered with the GST makes it possible to claim credits on your inputs.
  • Fire Safety Clearance: Compliance with the rules for fire safety.
  • Local Municipality Permits: Local government requires businesses to get licenses for health, business, and trading operations.

Profit Margins — What Industry Experts Say:

Cloud kitchens typically achieve profit margins between 20% and 25%, significantly higher than the 3-5% margins standard in traditional dine-in restaurants. This profitability is driven by reduced real estate and labor costs and operational efficiencies from centralized kitchen models.

Market Growth:

The global cloud kitchen market is projected to grow from USD 72.34 billion in 2025 to USD 115.48 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 12.4%. The market was valued at USD 78.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 176.4 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.5%.

Key Profit Drivers:

• Elimination of dine-in service reduces front-of-house and real estate costs.
• Multiple brands operate from a single kitchen, increasing volume and efficiency.
• Integration of advanced technology improves order accuracy and customer experience.

Steps to Start a Cloud Kitchen Franchise in India

Research and Shortlist the Right Cloud Kitchen Franchise

Find out what cloud kitchen brands you can choose from by researching the market. Check what they offer on their menus, the investment needed, their reputation, and how they support their customers. Find franchise organizations that fit your spending capacity, location ideas, and the demographics of your customers.

Contact Franchisors and Understand the Investment Details

Form a connection with the franchisors and receive information on the fees, costs, royalties, and expenses to be paid throughout the business ownership of the franchise. Pay attention to all contract points, such as who you will only be representing and the support services they offer.

Finalize the Location Based on Demand and Delivery Feasibility

Choose a location for your kitchen, taking into account both delivery time and client demand. Assess how far away you are from places with many people who depend on food deliveries. Being accessible to suppliers and delivery workers is essential as well.

Sign Franchise Agreement and Complete Documentation

Look over the franchise agreement and fill out the documentation that it includes. Be sure to clarify brand use, payouts, support, and procedure for leaving on paper. Cover all the necessary paperwork and hand in all required licenses and permits.

Setup Kitchen Infrastructure as per Brand Specifications

Follow the instruction from the franchisor to properly arrange and equip your kitchen to guarantee consistent results. Some of these steps require you to buy the proper equipment, install features that guarantee safety, and maintain good hygiene.

Hire and Train Staff with Franchisor Support

You should hire skilled personnel for your business, such as chefs and kitchen team members, and support staff. Many companiesthato own franchises give new franchisees training in preparing food, hygiene, managing orders, and customer service.

Integrate POS, Delivery Apps, and Brand Tech Systems

Use POS systems and link them with online ordering platforms or your brand’s application to offer options on delivery apps. Linking with the franchisor’s IT systems improves the handling of orders, stock, and analysis.

Launch Marketing Campaigns in the Delivery Radius

Organize advertising efforts in the delivery area, such as launching ads online, pushing promotions on social media, offering deals, and working with popular social media accounts. Good marketing from the start can help your brand become visible and attract customers.

Monitor KPIs and Optimize Operations Regularly

Watch your KPIs and Improve Processes Regularly. Check your order volume, what people think of your service, how fast you deliver, and the quality of your food. Take these statistics, and improve the menu, staffing, and the way things are done to increase efficiency and profits regularly.

Key Factors for Success in a Cloud Kitchen Franchise

• Strategic Location with Strong Delivery Coverage: It is necessary to find a kitchen in an area that leads to populated areas easily. Delivery should be made across a large number of customers efficiently and without delays, so that hot and fresh food reaches them without delay.
• High-Quality Food with Consistent Taste: It is necessary to make every meal consistently high in quality to keep customers returning. Sticking to recipes and quality tests every time provides a constant high standard, leading customers to order from us consistently and recommend us.
• Efficient Kitchen Operations and Trained Staff: Well-managed kitchen tasks help cut down preparation and allow staff to handle more orders. Nobody can do food delivery correctly without trained staff handling food, packaging, and hygiene properly. Effective staff increase productivity and support the brand image of the franchise.
• Robust Tech Integration for Order and Inventory Management: Technology is Integrated to Make Order and Inventory Handling Smooth and Accurate. Seamless order processing and keeping an eye on the stock allow faster and better results. Working with famous delivery services and updating POS systems improves business efficiency and speeds up delivery.
• Strong Marketing and Brand Visibility: By marketing your brand well, both on the internet and in person, you can attract more customers and keep those you have. Social media, digital advertisements, offers, loyalty programs, and teaming up with influencers can all help a brand increase its awareness in its target delivery area.
• Customer Feedback Management and Service Improvements: Getting feedback from clients and closely reviewing it allows for finding aspects that need updating in your business. If you handle complaints fast and change according to customer preferences, your service will be of a higher quality, and your brand reputation will improve.
• Adaptable Menu Based on Local Preferences: Customizing the food menu to people’s typical tastes, local diets, and trendy trends helps the business succeed. Having specialties that change with the time of the year or location can grow the business and set it apart from others.
• Efficient Cost Management and Pricing Strategy: Having low spending on ingredients, minimizing waste, and using resources well increases your business’s profitability. By applying competitive and successful pricing tactics, the brand attracts those customers who care about price yet never sacrifice quality.

Conclusion

For those exploring opportunities in the food business in India, starting a cloud kitchen franchise is very inviting and can be very successful. Traditional food businesses are changing due to the growing popularity of fast and quality food delivery, backed by strong digital systems. It requires little initial expense, has few operational difficulties, and can be grown easily, making it suitable for all types of business people. In fact, cloud kitchens rank among the best business ideas for women, offering flexibility and scalable growth. Partnering with a well-known cloud kitchen franchise can give you a valuable brand name, experienced guidance, and the support you need for business growth.

You can find a franchise option that is right for you, no matter if you are looking to start a biryani restaurant, a healthy meal shop, or a fast food joint. Deciding on a suitable cloud kitchen franchise can help a business grow and succeed in the rapidly expanding Indian food delivery industry.

FAQs

How much does it usually cost to open a cloud kitchen franchise?

The typical investment for brand promotions is usually between INR 5 and 25 lakhs.

Generally, cloud kitchen franchises can be financially successful.

Yes, thanks to easy operations and strong customer demand, they generate high profits.

Is it necessary to have experience before starting a cloud kitchen franchise?

Not necessarily. Most label companies offer thorough training and help to their partners.

Approximately how much space is required for a cloud kitchen?

A typical studio usually requires 300 to 600 square feet.

Where are the best places to open a cloud kitchen franchise?

Selecting metro cities and Tier-2 cities with strong demand for food delivery is best.