Dreaming of launching your own gourmet home meal kit delivery service? Understanding the initial financial outlay is paramount, with startup costs potentially ranging from $50,000 to $200,000+, encompassing everything from kitchen equipment and ingredient sourcing to marketing and website development. Curious about the precise figures and how to budget effectively for your culinary venture? Explore the detailed financial projections and essential components at FinancialModel.net to ensure a robust launch.
Startup Costs to Open a Business Idea
Establishing a gourmet home meal kit delivery service requires careful consideration of various upfront expenses. The following table outlines the estimated costs associated with key components of launching such a business, providing a range for each category to account for variations in scale and quality.
# | Expense | Min | Max |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Essential Equipment Costs | $15,000 | $50,000 |
2 | Legal and Licensing Fees | $2,000 | $10,000 |
3 | Marketing and Advertising Budget | $5,000 | $20,000 |
4 | Software and Technology Costs | $3,000 | $15,000 |
5 | Staffing and Labor Expenses (Initial) | $5,000 | $15,000 |
6 | Inventory Management Costs (Initial) | $5,000 | $20,000 |
7 | Packaging Supplies Budget (Initial) | $1,000 | $5,000 |
Total | $36,000 | $135,000 |
How Much Does It Cost To Open Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery?
Launching a gourmet home meal kit delivery service like Flavor & Forge involves a significant initial investment. The cost to open a gourmet home meal kit delivery business typically ranges from $50,000 to $250,000. This broad spectrum is influenced by factors such as the scale of operations, whether you start from a home kitchen or opt for a commercial kitchen, and the specific niche of your target market.
A detailed breakdown of gourmet meal kit delivery startup costs highlights several key areas requiring capital. These essential expenses include setting up a commercial kitchen space, acquiring specialized cooking and packaging equipment, purchasing an initial inventory of premium ingredients, designing and sourcing appropriate packaging for high-end meal kits, and investing in technology for efficient order management and customer service. As explored in articles like how to open a gourmet meal kit delivery, these elements are crucial for establishing a professional and functional operation.
Industry data indicates that high-end food delivery services, including gourmet meal kits, generally demand a higher upfront capital commitment compared to standard offerings. Some premium meal kit companies report initial investments that can exceed $150,000. This higher investment is often necessary to build robust infrastructure, ensure top-quality ingredient sourcing, and fund aggressive marketing campaigns to reach a discerning customer base.
For a gourmet meal kit startup aiming to capture a regional market, the average initial investment for a high-end meal kit service in the 2023-2024 period often begins around $75,000. This figure is generally sufficient to cover essential operational needs, such as securing a suitable kitchen space, obtaining necessary permits and licenses, and implementing a strong launch strategy. Understanding these financial requirements is a critical step for any aspiring gourmet food delivery service.
How Much Capital Typically Needed Open Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery From Scratch?
Launching a gourmet home meal kit delivery service like Flavor & Forge from the ground up typically requires a significant initial investment, generally ranging from $75,000 to $200,000. This capital is essential to cover the foundational aspects of the business for the first 6 to 12 months, including setting up your operational infrastructure, procuring initial inventory, and executing early marketing campaigns to attract your first customers.
The funding requirements for a gourmet meal kit delivery startup are multifaceted. Key areas demanding capital include securing a suitable commercial kitchen space, which can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 per month depending on your location and the size of the facility. Essential kitchen equipment for a home meal kit delivery business, such as industrial-grade ovens, refrigeration units, prep tables, and packaging machinery, can range from $15,000 to $50,000. Furthermore, a substantial initial ingredient purchase for premium meal kits is a critical expense, often falling between $5,000 and $20,000.
Allocation of Startup Capital for Gourmet Food Subscription Boxes
- Approximately 30-40% of the initial capital is typically allocated towards facility setup and essential equipment procurement.
- Another 20-30% of the startup budget is dedicated to inventory management, encompassing the cost of high-quality ingredients and specialized packaging supplies for premium meal kits.
- The remaining percentage covers marketing, technology, legal fees, and initial operational expenses.
For new entrants in the competitive food delivery market, particularly those focusing on a gourmet niche, establishing a robust contingency fund is paramount. A recommended contingency fund for a gourmet home meal kit delivery business should be between 15-20% of your total startup costs. This financial buffer is crucial for navigating unforeseen operational challenges, unexpected market fluctuations, or supply chain disruptions, thereby ensuring sustained business operations and the ability to adapt.
Can You Open Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery With Minimal Startup Costs?
Opening a gourmet home meal kit delivery business with a limited budget, specifically under $30,000, is a significant challenge but not entirely out of reach. Success in this scenario hinges on a lean startup approach. This typically involves starting with a very small operational scale, potentially utilizing a home-based commercial kitchen if local regulations permit, and focusing initial marketing efforts on organic and low-cost channels. This strategy helps to minimize the upfront meal kit business initial investment.
To reduce the initial investment for a gourmet meal kit service, entrepreneurs can strategically leverage existing resources. This includes using personal kitchen equipment where feasible, initially sourcing ingredients in smaller, more manageable batches to avoid waste and high upfront inventory costs, and personally handling local deliveries. By avoiding the immediate need for dedicated delivery vehicles, a substantial portion of the home meal kit delivery expenses can be deferred. This approach directly addresses how to reduce the initial investment for a gourmet meal kit service.
Reducing Startup Expenses for a Gourmet Meal Kit Business
- Home-Based Operations: Operating from a compliant home-based commercial kitchen can save anywhere from $24,000 to $120,000 annually on commercial kitchen rental fees. However, this requires strict adherence to food safety compliance costs for a gourmet meal kit business and local health department regulations, which may involve initial setup and certification expenses.
- Ingredient Sourcing: Prioritizing local suppliers for smaller batch ingredient sourcing can reduce initial inventory costs and minimize spoilage, though it may mean forgoing economies of scale.
- Personal Delivery: Handling deliveries personally in the initial stages eliminates vehicle purchase or lease costs and associated insurance and maintenance expenses for a gourmet meal kit delivery.
- Lean Marketing: Focusing on social media marketing, local partnerships, and word-of-mouth referrals can keep initial marketing and advertising budget for a new gourmet meal kit service significantly lower than traditional advertising methods.
While a minimal investment strategy can get a gourmet home meal kit delivery off the ground, scaling this business with limited capital presents distinct hurdles. The most significant impacts are often felt in ingredient sourcing, where smaller batch purchases prevent leveraging bulk discounts, thus increasing per-unit ingredient sourcing costs. Furthermore, a restricted marketing budget can limit reach, potentially impacting customer acquisition rates and overall meal prep service profitability in the long run. This is a critical consideration for anyone calculating startup expenses for a gourmet food subscription box.
What Are The Average Startup Costs For A Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery Business?
Launching a gourmet home meal kit delivery service like 'Flavor & Forge' involves a significant initial investment. The average startup costs typically fall within the range of $60,000 to $180,000. This broad spectrum accounts for essential elements such as acquiring professional kitchen equipment, securing initial inventory of high-quality ingredients, covering legal and licensing fees, and implementing a robust marketing strategy to attract discerning customers.
The higher end of this investment range is often driven by the need for specialized equipment suitable for gourmet meal preparation and the initial scale of operations. For instance, setting up a commercial kitchen with professional-grade ovens, specialized prep stations, and advanced refrigeration systems can easily consume a substantial portion of the budget. Factors like the sourcing of premium, often organic or locally sourced, ingredients also contribute to the overall cost to launch a meal kit company.
Key Startup Expense Categories for Gourmet Meal Kits
- Professional Kitchen Setup: Costs can range from $10,000 to $50,000+ depending on whether you rent or build out a space, and the quality of equipment purchased. This includes items like commercial ovens, induction cooktops, high-capacity mixers, and specialized refrigeration units.
- Initial Ingredient Inventory: Budget approximately $5,000 to $20,000 for your first batch of premium ingredients. This covers fresh produce, specialty meats and seafood, artisanal cheeses, and unique pantry staples required for gourmet recipes.
- Legal and Licensing Fees: Expect to allocate $1,000 to $5,000 for business registration, food handling permits, health department inspections, and any necessary legal consultations to ensure compliance.
- Website Development and Technology: A user-friendly e-commerce platform for ordering and subscription management can cost between $5,000 to $25,000. This often includes payment gateway integration and inventory management software.
- Packaging Supplies: Investing in high-quality, insulated, and attractive packaging for premium meal kits can range from $3,000 to $15,000 for initial stock. This is crucial for maintaining food quality and brand perception.
- Marketing and Advertising: An initial marketing budget of $10,000 to $40,000 is recommended to build brand awareness, target your ideal customer, and drive initial sales through digital advertising, social media campaigns, and public relations.
- Delivery Vehicles and Logistics: If handling your own delivery, factor in $5,000 to $30,000 for vehicle acquisition or leasing, plus initial fuel and maintenance costs.
The cost to start a gourmet food delivery service is inherently higher than for standard meal kits due to the emphasis on premium ingredients and sophisticated recipes. For instance, sourcing high-quality proteins like Wagyu beef or organic, heritage poultry can significantly increase ingredient sourcing costs compared to conventional options. Additionally, the packaging for gourmet meal kits often requires more durable and aesthetically pleasing materials to maintain the brand's high-end image and ensure freshness, adding to the overall packaging supplies budget.
Understanding these variable expenses is crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs. A detailed breakdown of gourmet meal kit delivery startup costs helps in securing adequate funding for a gourmet meal kit delivery startup. For example, while a basic home-based gourmet meal kit operation might start with a lower investment, scaling up to a professional kitchen setup for gourmet meal preparation, as 'Flavor & Forge' might envision, necessitates a more substantial capital injection. Consulting with business advisors specializing in food ventures can provide tailored insights into these initial investment requirements.
How Much Capital Do I Need To Start A Gourmet Meal Kit Service From Home?
Launching a gourmet home meal kit delivery service like Flavor & Forge typically requires an initial investment ranging from $25,000 to $75,000. This capital is essential for covering the upfront costs associated with specialized kitchen equipment, your first significant ingredient purchases, and meeting stringent regulatory compliance for operating a food business from your home. This estimate is for a home-based operation, notably excluding the potentially substantial expenses of renting a dedicated commercial kitchen space, making it a more accessible entry point for many aspiring entrepreneurs.
The primary driver for these startup costs is the need for quality and safety. Unlike standard meal kits, a gourmet service demands higher-grade ingredients and often more intricate preparation, necessitating specialized equipment. For instance, precise portioning tools, high-quality refrigeration, and efficient packaging solutions contribute significantly to the initial outlay. As discussed in guides on gourmet meal kit delivery startup costs, these investments are crucial for maintaining the premium brand image and ensuring food safety standards are met, which is paramount for customer trust and regulatory approval.
Key Startup Expense Categories for Gourmet Home Meal Kits
- Specialized Kitchen Equipment: This can include items like vacuum sealers, sous vide machines, high-precision scales, and professional-grade knives. Costs can range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the scale and quality of equipment purchased.
- Initial Ingredient Inventory: Sourcing premium, often organic or specialty ingredients, represents a significant portion of the startup budget. An initial stock might cost between $7,000 and $20,000.
- Packaging Supplies: For a gourmet service, high-quality, insulated, and aesthetically pleasing packaging is vital. This includes boxes, ice packs, compostable containers, and branding materials, potentially costing $3,000 to $8,000.
- Legal, Licensing, and Permits: Obtaining necessary food handling permits, business licenses, and adhering to home-based business regulations can incur fees from $500 to $2,500.
- Website Development and E-commerce Platform: A professional online presence for orders, payments, and customer management is crucial. This can range from $2,000 to $10,000 for a custom-built site or a robust subscription platform.
When calculating the cost to launch a meal kit company focused on gourmet offerings, it's important to be thorough. For example, the initial ingredient purchase for a service like Flavor & Forge might involve sourcing artisanal cheeses, specific cuts of meat, or exotic produce, which inherently carry a higher price tag than commodity ingredients. A detailed breakdown of gourmet meal kit delivery startup costs often reveals that ingredient sourcing costs can account for 30-40% of the initial investment. This is a key differentiator from more standard meal kit services, as highlighted in analyses of gourmet meal kit delivery profitability.
Furthermore, investing in appropriate packaging for meal kits is not just about presentation; it's about maintaining the integrity and freshness of gourmet ingredients during transit. This includes investing in insulated liners and cold packs, which can add a notable percentage to the overall startup expenses. For instance, premium packaging might represent 10-15% of your initial investment, a figure considerably higher than for less perishable or less gourmet-focused food products. This aspect is critical for customer satisfaction and minimizing spoilage.
The initial investment for a high-end meal kit service, particularly one operating from home, is designed to establish a strong foundation. This includes ensuring compliance with food safety regulations, which is non-negotiable. Costs related to obtaining permits, ensuring proper sanitation protocols, and potentially specialized training for handling delicate ingredients are baked into the overall budget. As noted in financial models for gourmet meal kit delivery businesses, these operational prerequisites are vital for long-term success and avoiding costly regulatory issues down the line.
What Are The Essential Equipment Costs For Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery?
Setting up the kitchen for your gourmet home meal kit delivery business, like Flavor & Forge, requires a significant investment in specialized equipment to ensure quality and efficiency. The essential equipment costs for a gourmet home meal kit delivery business typically range from $15,000 to $50,000. This foundational cost covers crucial items like commercial-grade refrigerators and freezers for ingredient preservation, professional ovens for any pre-preparation steps, sturdy prep tables for efficient assembly, and specialized packaging machinery to keep meals fresh and presentable during transit.
For a truly premium service, like the one Flavor & Forge aims to provide, additional investments in advanced kitchen technology can elevate the product. These enhancements can push the professional kitchen setup costs for gourmet meal preparation higher. Specifically, items such as vacuum sealers to extend ingredient freshness, blast chillers for rapid cooling of prepared components, and precision cooking tools like sous vide immersion circulators can add another $5,000 to $15,000 to your initial outlay. These tools are vital for maintaining the high quality and unique culinary experience that gourmet meal kits promise.
When considering the overall meal kit business initial investment, it's common for new gourmet meal kit startups to allocate a substantial portion to their operational core. Many gourmet meal kit startups allocate between 15-25% of their total initial investment to kitchen and delivery equipment. This focus on robust equipment ensures that the business can consistently produce high-quality meals, maintain strict food safety standards, and manage the complexities of a food delivery business plan effectively from the outset.
Key Equipment Investments for Gourmet Meal Kits
- Commercial Refrigeration & Freezers: Essential for storing perishable ingredients at optimal temperatures, crucial for maintaining the freshness of gourmet items.
- Professional Ovens & Cooking Equipment: Needed for any pre-cooking or component preparation, ensuring consistent results for sophisticated recipes.
- Prep Tables & Workstations: Durable and hygienic surfaces are vital for the efficient and safe assembly of meal kits.
- Specialized Packaging Machinery: Includes items like vacuum sealers or portioning equipment to ensure ingredients are packaged correctly and safely.
- Blast Chillers: For rapidly cooling prepared food items to safe temperatures, a key component in gourmet food safety compliance.
- Precision Cooking Tools: Such as sous vide machines, essential for achieving the high-quality, consistent results expected in gourmet meal preparation.
What Are The Legal And Licensing Fees For Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery?
Starting a gourmet home meal kit delivery business like Flavor & Forge involves navigating a landscape of legal requirements and obtaining the necessary permits. These upfront costs are critical for ensuring your operation is compliant and builds trust with customers. Generally, you can expect legal and licensing fees to range between $2,000 and $10,000. This initial investment covers essential steps like registering your business name, securing food handler permits for anyone preparing food, and undergoing health department inspections to guarantee safety standards.
Beyond basic registration, ensuring food safety is paramount for a gourmet meal kit startup. Compliance with regulations, such as implementing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems, can incur annual costs ranging from $500 to $2,000. Adhering to these standards is not just a legal obligation but also a cornerstone for maintaining customer confidence and the integrity of your premium brand.
Key Permits for Home-Based Gourmet Meal Kit Operations
- Home Occupation Permit: Authorizes business activities from your residence.
- Food Establishment Permit: Required by local health departments for any business handling food.
- Business License: A general license to operate within your city or county.
The specific permits required to operate a home-based gourmet meal kit delivery business can vary significantly depending on your state and county regulations. However, common permits include a home occupation permit, a food establishment permit, and a general business license. The total cost for these can add up, often falling between a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars, ensuring your business is legally recognized and can operate safely.
What Is The Marketing And Advertising Budget For Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery?
Launching a gourmet home meal kit delivery service like Flavor & Forge requires a strategic marketing and advertising budget to effectively reach your target audience. For initial brand awareness and customer acquisition, a new service should plan for an outlay of $5,000 to $20,000. This foundational investment is crucial for establishing a presence in a competitive market.
When considering cost-effective marketing strategies, digital channels are paramount. Social media advertising, for instance, can range from $500 to $2,000 per month, allowing for targeted campaigns to reach home cooks interested in premium culinary experiences. Search engine marketing (SEM) is another key area, with estimated costs between $1,000 and $5,000 per month to ensure visibility when potential customers search for gourmet meal solutions. Don't overlook the power of email marketing, which is significantly more affordable, typically costing between $50 to $300 per month for platform access and email list management.
Key Marketing Investment Areas for Gourmet Meal Kits
- Digital Advertising: Allocate funds for social media ads (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest) and search engine marketing (Google Ads) to drive traffic and conversions.
- Influencer Collaborations: Partner with food bloggers, chefs, and lifestyle influencers who align with a gourmet brand to review and promote your kits. This can range from gifted products to paid sponsorships.
- Local Community Outreach: Engage with local farmers' markets, gourmet food stores, or community events to offer samples and build direct customer relationships.
- Content Marketing: Invest in high-quality recipe photography, video demonstrations, and blog posts that highlight the gourmet aspect and convenience of your meal kits.
- Brand Development: The initial investment in brand identity is critical. Costs for professional logo design and brand guidelines for a gourmet meal kit service can typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, establishing the premium look and feel necessary to attract discerning customers.
What Are The Software And Technology Costs For Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery?
Launching a gourmet home meal kit delivery service like Flavor & Forge requires a solid technological backbone. The initial investment in software and technology can range significantly, typically from $3,000 to $15,000. This covers essential platforms to manage your online presence, customer interactions, and internal operations efficiently.
The core of your online operation is your website. For a custom-built e-commerce site tailored to a gourmet experience, expect costs between $2,000 and $10,000. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly approach, a template-based solution with integrated e-commerce capabilities can be implemented for $500 to $2,000. This ensures customers can easily browse recipes, select meal kits, and manage their subscriptions.
Beyond the website, several other software solutions are crucial for managing a gourmet meal kit business. These platforms streamline various aspects of the operation, from order processing to customer relationship management (CRM) and delivery logistics. Monthly subscriptions for these specialized tools can add up, generally falling between $100 to $500 per platform. Investing in reliable software is key to scaling your gourmet food delivery service effectively.
Essential Software for Gourmet Meal Kit Operations
- E-commerce Platform: For website development and online sales, with costs ranging from $500 to $10,000 for initial setup.
- Subscription Management Software: To handle recurring orders, customer accounts, and billing, often included in e-commerce packages or as a separate add-on.
- Inventory Management Systems: Crucial for tracking ingredients and ensuring freshness, a vital part of managing ingredient sourcing costs.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): To manage customer data, communication, and feedback, enhancing the customer experience for your premium meal kits.
- Delivery Route Optimization Software: To plan efficient delivery routes, minimizing vehicle expenses and ensuring timely delivery of gourmet food subscription boxes.
- Recipe Management Tools: Helpful for organizing and presenting chef-crafted recipes to your customers.
What Are The Staffing And Labor Expenses For Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery?
Staffing and labor expenses represent a significant ongoing operational cost for any gourmet home meal kit delivery business like Flavor & Forge. For a small startup team, these costs can range from $5,000 to $15,000 per month. This budget typically covers essential roles such as chefs for recipe development and quality control, prep staff for ingredient portioning and packaging, and packers to assemble the final meal kits.
The specific labor costs involved in running a small gourmet meal kit delivery operation are often based on hourly wages. Expect to pay kitchen staff and delivery drivers between $15 to $25 per hour. This rate can fluctuate based on regional minimum wages, the specific skill sets required for each role, and the experience level of the employees hired.
Scaling Labor Needs for Gourmet Meal Kit Services
- As your gourmet meal kit delivery business grows, you'll need to consider hiring additional personnel to manage operations effectively.
- Adding an Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of the kitchen and delivery logistics can add approximately $3,000 to $7,000 per month to your payroll.
- Similarly, hiring a dedicated Customer Service Representative to handle inquiries, feedback, and order issues can incur similar monthly costs, typically ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 per position.
What Are The Inventory Management Costs For Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery?
Starting a gourmet home meal kit delivery service like Flavor & Forge involves significant upfront investment in inventory. The initial ingredient purchase for a gourmet meal kit startup can range from $5,000 to $20,000. This initial stocking is just the beginning; ongoing weekly procurement costs will fluctuate based on your subscription volume and customer demand.
For a premium offering, ingredient sourcing costs are notably higher. Expect to spend more on top-tier components. For instance, using premium proteins or organic produce can increase your per-meal ingredient costs by 20-50% compared to standard meal kits. This focus on quality is essential for a gourmet brand but directly impacts initial investment and ongoing expenses.
Effective inventory management is not just about purchasing; it's critical for minimizing food waste. Improper management can lead to food waste accounting for 5-10% of total ingredient costs. This directly impacts meal prep service profitability, making careful tracking and forecasting vital for a gourmet food subscription box.
Key Inventory Management Expenses for Gourmet Meal Kits
- Initial Ingredient Purchase: A substantial upfront cost, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 for a gourmet meal kit startup.
- Ongoing Ingredient Procurement: Weekly costs tied to subscription numbers and demand, requiring consistent capital.
- Premium Ingredient Sourcing: Higher per-meal costs (20-50% increase) for quality items like organic produce and specialty proteins.
- Food Waste Mitigation: Costs associated with preventing waste, which can otherwise consume 5-10% of ingredient budgets.
What Are The Packaging Supplies Budget For Gourmet Home Meal Kit Delivery?
When launching a gourmet home meal kit delivery service like Flavor & Forge, the packaging supplies budget is a critical component of your initial investment. It's not just about containing the food; it's about preserving its quality and reinforcing the premium brand experience. For initial stock, expect to allocate between $1,000 and $5,000. This covers essential items like insulated liners, ice packs, sturdy boxes, and internal dividers. These are vital for maintaining the 'gourmet' appeal and ensuring food safety during transit.
The cost to launch a meal kit company is significantly influenced by packaging choices. High-quality, insulated, and branded packaging materials are non-negotiable for a gourmet offering. Think custom-designed boxes that speak to your brand's elegance, along with eco-friendly materials that appeal to conscious consumers. These elements directly impact the perceived value of your product and contribute to customer satisfaction. For instance, investing in robust insulation can prevent spoilage, directly reducing potential losses and upholding your commitment to quality.
Considering a service delivering approximately 500 kits per week, your ongoing packaging expenses can be substantial. The cost per kit typically ranges from $2 to $5. This means monthly packaging expenses could easily total between $1,000 and $2,500. This recurring expenditure highlights the importance of careful budgeting and sourcing strategies for packaging supplies for premium meal kits. It's a significant factor in the overall home meal kit delivery expenses.
Key Packaging Cost Factors for Gourmet Meal Kits
- Insulation: High-performance insulated liners and gel ice packs are essential for maintaining precise temperature control, especially for delicate gourmet ingredients.
- Box Quality: Sturdy, custom-branded corrugated boxes protect contents and reinforce brand identity.
- Material Choice: Eco-friendly or compostable packaging options may have higher upfront costs but align with premium brand values.
- Compartmentalization: Internal dividers and smaller containers for individual ingredients prevent damage and ensure an organized presentation.
- Branding Elements: Custom printing, labels, and inserts add to the aesthetic appeal and customer experience.
Understanding these packaging supply costs is fundamental for anyone calculating startup expenses for a gourmet food subscription box. It directly impacts the initial ingredient purchase for a gourmet meal kit startup and the overall meal prep service profitability. Proper packaging ensures that the gourmet home meal kit delivery business maintains its high standards from the kitchen to the customer's doorstep.