CHICAGO – Amped Kitchens announced on Oct. 14 that it would be opening a new 117,000-square-foot commercial kitchen complex that will feature multiple tenants after a $25 million renovation.

There are 64 private kitchens for people to lease out that range from 150 square feet to almost 2,000 square feet. Anyone who uses the facility will have access to refrigerated, frozen and dry storage along with office space, meeting rooms, attended shipping docks, packing rooms and an on-site USDA office. 

Additionally, Amped Kitchen said its tenants will have access to expedited government approvals and easier certification options for organic and kosher.

"We were seeing too many food businesses hit a wall when it was time to grow,” said Mott Smith, co-owner of Amped Kitchens. “We provide them with a fast, accessible path to scale.”

Amped Kitchens said it will currently lease to established and fast-growing food businesses including CPG companies, restaurants needing commissary/central kitchen space, meal subscription companies, and anyone looking for R&D or pilot production space.

"Growing food companies tell us the costs, complexity, and time needed to secure their own permitted space are an enormous burden,” said Brian Albert, co-owner. “They need to be producing in a matter of weeks, not months – or years and Amped can make that happen."

Financing for this project came from PNC Bank, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Chicago Community Loan Fund, Southside Community Optimal Redevelopment Enterprise (SCORE), BlueHub Capital, FirstPathway and Loop Counterpointe.

"We are excited to be part of this Amped Kitchens facility, as it works to support Chicago food-industry professionals by removing startup costs and obstacles, and providing resources to help them succeed," said Scott Swanson, PNC regional president of Illinois.