Operations

Commercial and Incubator Kitchens

Commercial and incubator kitchens: Commercial kitchens are fully equipped prep kitchens that can be rented out for shared use. Commercial kitchens are licensed as such. Here are some commercial kitchens to consider. 

  • EatsPlace is a farm and food certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). EatsPlace’s innovative approach combines an incubator kitchen with a working restaurant lab. In addition to kitchen rentals and restaurant pop-ups at their location, they also offer food facility design and operations services.  
  • The Kitchen Door is a resource to find licensed commercial and shared kitchen spaces for rent near you. Just enter your zip code: https://www.thekitchendoor.com/kitchen-rental/washington-dc/washington-dc/miles/20 
  • Mess Hall is a food incubator and startup studio born out of need for affordable commercial kitchen space in Washington, DC.  
  • LaCocinaVA is a culinary small business incubator in Arlington, VA that offers affordable membership packages in their shared kitchen space to eligible community members that own or operate food based businesses. 
  • Maryland Packaging offers a full size incubator kitchen to help start-up food businesses expand and grow. 
  • Tastemakers DC is a food incubator and community kitchen, bringing together the taste makers and taste testers of the food scene.  

Point of Sale (POS) System

You will need a point of sale system to manage the cash flow of your business. In addition to payment processing, this system may also assist with front of house management and online order processing. Depending on your business size and the type of business you have, here are some POS options to consider: .

  • Square for restaurants (best for new restaurants).
  • Clover (best for quick service restaurants).
  • Lightspeed restaurant (best pos for small and medium sized restaurants).
  • Touch bistro (best for full service restaurant). Toast (best system for Android systems).
  • Loyverse (best free post software)
  • Mess Hall is a food incubator and startup studio born out of need for affordable commercial kitchen space in Washington, DC.  
  • LaCocinaVA is a culinary small business incubator in Arlington, VA that offers affordable membership packages in their shared kitchen space to eligible community members that own or operate food based businesses. 
  • Maryland Packaging offers a full size incubator kitchen to help start-up food businesses expand and grow. 
  • Tastemakers DC is a food incubator and community kitchen, bringing together the taste makers and taste testers of the food scene.  

Information Updates

See link below for information and updates on allocated funds toward your food business lunch. 

Employment and Human Resources

As you launch and grow your business, you may need to hire employees. This process includes writing a job description, posting the position on various jobs boards, and completing the necessary legal steps to officially hire new staff. 

There are many factors and laws to consider when you hire an employee of your business. There are many different State and Federal requirements you'll need to complete when you hire an employee, including obtaining your Federal Employment Identification number (EIN), your state’s Taxpayer Identification number, and workers compensation insurance.

As you hire employees, be sure to follow all wage and employment guidelines. 

Permits and licenses

Professional services