The Dark Kitchen market is projected to reach $253.95 billion by 2035, according to research by We Market Research. One of the main drivers of this rapid growth—alongside urbanization and fundamental shifts in traditional consumer behavior—is the high degree of technological advancement and digitalization, including the expansion of e-commerce and digital marketing. However, independent experts note that the adoption of innovations in this segment remains highly uneven. Kyrylo Kupin, Chief Manufacturing Officer and co-founder at SIZL, highlights the challenges this creates and explains how end-to-end digital solutions and vertical integration can help overcome them.
Source: We Market Research, https://wemarketresearch.com/reports/dark-kitchen-market/1540
Сurrent state and digitalization trends in the Dark Kitchen segment
A closer look at the specifics and origins of the Dark Kitchen segment reveals that digitalization was its very “core” from the start—in the absence of storefronts, waitstaff, or dining areas, technology was the foundation of the business model.
Most technological efforts focus narrowly on operational efficiency, while only a few market participants consider full vertical integration and direct brand-to-consumer connections.The market is open to innovation, yet most services remain fragmented, and a unified ecosystem has yet to form. Most technological solutions focus primarily on operational efficiency, while vertical integration and full control over all processes—from raw material procurement to consumer interaction—are considered by only a small fraction of market participants.
As a result, the value chain often operates in silos: procurement and inventory may run on separate systems (or manually), courier management on another, while customer data typically remains with third-party aggregators—weakening the direct link between brand and consumer. The greatest opportunity now lies in creating integrated, end-to-end ecosystems that connect suppliers, kitchens, couriers, and customers into a single digital environment.
About SIZL: Building a Unified Foodtech Ecosystem
SIZL is a strong example of this approach. While on the surface it resembles a classic Dark Kitchen—focused on meal preparation and catering—our vision from the outset was to build a fully integrated platform rather than piece together third-party tools. Every process was redesigned to maintain control at each stage.
Technically, SIZL is a single digital ecosystem divided into interconnected modules. A dedicated planner handles supplier interactions, showing inventory levels and forecasting ingredient needs. The logistics system is integrated directly, so couriers receive delivery tasks and instructions within the platform itself, not through a third-party app. A separate module monitors quality at every step—from kitchen hygiene compliance to packaging integrity before orders are dispatched. Finally, customers have a direct line to the brand, including support chat, promotions, and personalized rewards.
Essentially, we’ve built a full-fledged foodtech platform that combines B2B and B2C operations. We continue to refine existing modules, develop new ones, and make our ERP system as adaptive as possible for rapid scaling to other states or franchising.
It’s worth noting that experts and analysts repeatedly emphasize that automation and digital strategies are among the most important drivers of growth in the foodtech industry today. According to a report by Digital Food Lab, out of 31 key trends for 2025, eight relate directly to this shift. For instance, new forms of retail and delivery are among the fastest-growing segments.
Source: : Digital food lab, https://digitalfoodlab.com/foodtech-trends-2025/
Multifunctionality and integrated services
Another key feature of our project is multifunctionality. It’s a promising direction that is still largely underdeveloped: for example, according to We Market Research, in 2024, just over 11% of Dark Kitchen companies offered multichannel delivery.
Source: We Market Research, https://wemarketresearch.com/reports/dark-kitchen-market/1540
We’ve successfully combined work with retail customers and catering, for which we built a dedicated “digital wrapper.” Orders are placed entirely online—via an app or web platform. A flexible menu builder allows dishes to be tailored to preferences and dietary restrictions, while event organizers can choose a payment model: fully on them or shared with clients. The unified platform also ensures maximum transparency, tracking cooking, packaging, and delivery in real time.
This model enables a streamlined B2B2C experience where each party benefits—and the entire process is simplified at every stage. We build a fully branded, budget-aligned virtual menu tailored to the organizer’s goals. Guests receive a link to choose, pay for, and schedule their meals individually. Orders are aggregated and structured for the kitchen in a clear, optimized format, reducing errors and prep complexity. Meals are delivered on time, in personal packaging, with no need for queues or distribution setups. Organizers get a hands-off solution that still offers full customization and control. Guests enjoy flexibility, comfort, and reliable service. Kitchens receive clean, organized data—no manual coordination, no chaos.
All of this—multifunctionality, flexible management, transparency, and execution within a single ecosystem—helps companies stand out from competitors, remaining resilient and economically efficient even amid unpredictable market fluctuations.
Trends come and go, but sustainable success depends not only on adapting to change but also on driving it. The key lies in rethinking, combining, and enhancing existing models with technological and intellectual value—an approach that underpins lasting innovation and competitive advantage in foodtech.
