Common Kitchen Culinary Incubator
The Common Kitchen Culinary Incubator is helps early stage entrepreneurs get started in the retail food business by providing support systems, resources, and facilities at little or no cost. No previous business experience is necessary. The Common Kitchen Culinary Incubator seeks to connect individuals to training in small business management and allow aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their dreams.
- Anyone who wants to start a catering, baking or specialty food business.
- Caterers who are expanding their businesses or cooking out of their homes.
- Restaurant owners who would like to start catering or producing their famous salsa or salad dressing for re-sale.
- Market or bodega owners, who would like to offer their own food products, like baked goods and fresh dishes.
- Specialty food producers who need certified kitchen space and business support for new or expanding sales of their products.
- The kitchen is open to all food businesses, with preference given to low and moderate-income residents of New Hampshire with strong food experience and/or business ideas.
- A certified commercial kitchen including, six-burner stove, flat top griddle, one convection oven, four deck ovens and microwave.
- Two 20 qt. and two 5 qt. kitchen aid mixers.
- Refrigeration and freezer units.
- Commercial steamer (perfect for canning), large jar fillers.
- Small wares: mixing bowls, measuring cups, stock pots etc.
- A three bay sink and food preparation sink.
- Four stainless steel work tables.
- A computer, printer, internet access, and telephone (local calls).
- Comprehensive technical assistance with all aspects of business planning, including business plan writing, marketing, inventory, loan packaging, health regulations.
- Networking with other food entrepreneurs New Hampshire Small Business Development Center
(Free confidential business counseling including business plan development, accessing capital, marketing and sales. Contact: 603.862.2200 http://www.nhsbdc.org/) - SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Businesses
(Free business counseling including small business workshops. Contact: 603.666.7561 http://www.score-manchester.org/) - Women’s Business Center; Free on-on-one counseling, networking opportunities and educational programs. Contact: 603.623.7383 http://www.womenbiz.org/
- Micro Credit of New Hampshire; Free assistance with accessing small business loans of up to $10,000, business training, and networking opportunities. Contact: 800.769.3482 http://www.microcreditnh.org/)
The business start-up cost is around $600 including:
- Insurance of approximately $300
- State Food Service License $75 - $200 (cost varies based on product type)
- State Business License $100
- $50 for ServSafe certification (All users of the kitchen must have their food manager's certification before starting work at the kitchen.)
- The cost of kitchen rental is $10 per hour
- Secure dry storage units are available at an additional cost of $30 per month
- The Common Kitchen Incubator will offer convenient bulk food purchasing
Stop by to pick up an application, or print and complete an application (PDF 39 kb) now.