Why is a Mobile Kitchen a Better Choice for Hotels & Resorts

Properties with commercial kitchens are in a better position to give guests a memorable experience. But when your hotel's kitchen needs an upgrade—or worse, is limping by without one—the question becomes how to do it without interfering with day-to-day services or irritating guests. As the hospitality industry adapts to new construction methods, let's dive into the reasons why mobile kitchens are a superior option for hotels and resorts. 

Faster Deployment from Start to Finish 

Traditional kitchen construction projects can take upwards of a year to complete. Labor shortages largely contribute to the longer timeline. 70% of construction contractors struggle to meet deadlines because they have trouble finding reliable, skilled people. When there are fewer qualified workers on the job site, schedules can explode, becoming cost-prohibitive for hotels and resorts. 

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What is the timeframe to deliver a mobile kitchen?

This type of commercial kitchen construction is 50% faster to launch than a brick-and-mortar structure. Instead of months to build, your property can have a concrete result in only a few weeks. The units are manufactured off-site, using automation, repetition, and efficiency to produce a professional commercial kitchen. 

A Major Cost Saver for Hotels and Resorts

While prices fluctuate from region to region, hotel construction costs can range, on average, between $478 to $691 per square foot. This cost naturally increases for properties in far-flung mountainous or tropical locales. The largest expenses generally go towards materials and labor, which are both becoming harder to obtain. During the 2020 pandemic, materials only became more expensive as global shortages crippled exports. 

How can hotels and resorts save on building costs?

Mobile kitchens can be up to 20% less expensive to produce than traditional frameworks. Much of the cost savings come from manufacturing the units using a standardized process and pre-designed models. 

Budgets and Schedules are Honored

Traditional hotel construction projects aren't immune to ballooning budgets and schedules—almost 80% go over budget. There are several reasons for this, but the biggest stems from on-site quality control issues. When work needs to be redone, it can add days—even weeks—to the project and increase your overall costs. 

Why is off-site manufacturing a good solution?  

Since construction is completed at a separate facility, it's easier to manage quality control. A significant amount of time is spent upfront working with stakeholders to build a schedule and budget that fits your requirements. This includes getting a sense of the property's equipment specifications, workflow, and menu, among other things. As a result, delays or surprise expenses are avoided because of a smooth ordering and design process.

Streamlined Construction Project Management & Production

For traditional projects, multiple phases build off of one another. Framing can't be done until the foundation is laid, and electricians won't be able to do their job before these steps are finished. If there are delays at any point, they can throw off the entire project schedule. This is further complicated by the stakeholders involved, who each want to have their say.  

Why is the production process easier? 

Whether you have one decision-maker or a team of many, there's only one point of contact you'll work with. This person will guide you in selecting the right commercial kitchen design for your hotel using a time-tested, straightforward design and ordering approach. 

Mobile Kitchens Create Minimal Disruptions

When perusing Tripadvisor's hotel reviews, it's not unheard of to read about noise complaints from guests who had a less than stellar experience due to on-site construction. Renovations and new installations often create disruptions for guests and surrounding buildings. And it's especially detrimental for hotels and resorts when frustrated patrons decide not to return because of it.

How are these disruptions avoided?  

There's minimal interruption to a property's business or its guests with a mobile kitchen installation. You don't have to worry about contractors stomping back and forth through the lobby, causing a commotion. The unit is shipped and delivered fully equipped and ready to install through one utility connection point. 

Hotel Kitchens Built with a Strict Adherence to Code

Commercial kitchens are subject to stringent inspections before they're allowed to open. Quality standards for conventional craftsmanship can vary, and shoddy work could lead to code violations, preventing your property from serving guests. 

What are the quality assurance standards used during construction?  

During the manufacturing process, mobile kitchens are built to IBC standards in a controlled environment. Inspections take place at the plant, where quality control and consistency are easier to maintain. Before any unit leaves the facility, it undergoes rigorous checks to ensure it meets state and local requirements. 

Eco-friendly Commercial Kitchen Manufacturing

On-site construction has a significant impact on the environment, which is steadily increasing. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over 600 million tons of construction waste and debris were generated from worksites in 2018, and double the amount municipalities produce. 

How can mobile kitchens help solve this problem? 

For hotels that want to reduce their carbon footprint, mobile kitchens utilize sustainable production methods, creating less waste. But this doesn't mean a sacrifice in quality. The materials used for this type of construction are the same as those found in conventional commercial kitchens. Each unit is insulated and well-ventilated, creating energy efficiencies for properties located in regions with extreme weather conditions. 

A Sound Investment for Your Hotel or Resort

In traditional construction projects, many variables are out of your control. Budget inaccuracies, equipment failures, and even who decides to show up—or not—to the site are all issues that can affect how quickly your hotel's kitchen is built. 

Why are mobile kitchens a better investment?

Before anyone starts drilling, your hotel or resort's kitchen design is set in stone from the beginning. It's a simple process from start to finish leaving you with a commercial kitchen that gives you the flexibility to scale as needed. 

Since the units are mobile, they can be combined to expand your hotel's cooking capacity, add on to existing buildings, or standalone to create a separate restaurant. Each of these uses can serve as a significant revenue driver for your property. Plus, they retain their value when it's time to sell, making them a great investment.

Ready to Talk About Your Hotel Kitchen? 

ContekPro's Precision Series is ideal for hospitality and culinary professionals looking for a more efficient and cost-effective solution. Our mobile  kitchens are built to last, making them perfect for heavy-duty, high-volume settings.