#141 Commercial Kitchens 101: Mott Smith, Amped Kitchens
Mott Smith, co-founder of Amped Kitchens, explains how their production-oriented commercial kitchens in Los Angeles and Chicago serve CPG brands between pre-revenue and $5 million in annual revenue. He contrasts this model with co-manufacturers, highlighting the control, flexibility, and lower risk of wasted inventory that commercial kitchens offer for brands with specialized processes, unique packaging, or functional ingredients. Smith details the facility's capabilities, including support for various certifications like USDA and SQF, and discusses the operational challenges of staffing and equipment selection. The episode concludes with Smith's thesis on the decline of ghost kitchens and the rise of delivery-optimized food halls as the future of regional food distribution.