What major technological element served as the true catalyst for the contemporary dark kitchen phenomenon?
Widespread adoption of third-party delivery platforms
The proliferation and widespread adoption of third-party delivery apps is identified as the critical catalyst that enabled the modern dark kitchen model to scale. These platforms established a massive, reliable, and digitized conduit connecting the kitchen directly to the consumer base. This digital linkage fundamentally altered the economics of the restaurant industry by making real estate decisions independent of traditional requirements like foot traffic or street visibility. Instead, location decisions prioritized kitchen efficiency, lower rental costs, and optimal proximity to densely populated delivery zones, a shift impossible without robust third-party digital infrastructure.

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Dark kitchens: Where does your food delivery really come from?