What is a Central Production Unit (CPU) and Who is it for?
A Central Production Unit (CPU) is a dedicated food production facility designed to centralise preparation, cooking, packing, and dispatch across one or multiple brands or sites. Unlike traditional commercial kitchens, which are often designed for immediate service or delivery, CPUs are built around workflow, output, and efficiency.
Key characteristics of a CPU include:
Clearly zoned areas for prep, production, packing, and storage
Infrastructure designed for high-volume output
Layouts that prioritise movement, safety, and consistency
Facilities that support distribution and wholesale operations
In short, a CPU is not just a kitchen — it’s production infrastructure.
Who Is a CPU For?
1. Growing food brands
Brands producing sauces, ready meals, baked goods, or packaged food often reach a point where existing kitchens limit output. CPUs provide the space and infrastructure needed to increase volume without compromising consistency.
2. Multi-Site Hospitality Groups
Restaurants, cafés, and hospitality groups with multiple locations use CPUs to centralise prep, reduce in-venue labour, and maintain consistency across sites.
3. Catering & Events Operators
Caterers producing large quantities across varying schedules benefit from CPU layouts that support batch production, storage, and controlled dispatch.
4. Businesses Entering Wholesale or Distribution
Moving into retail, foodservice, or wholesale requires production spaces that support packing, storage, compliance, and logistics. CPUs are designed with this transition in mind.
Why Infrastructure Matters in a CPU
The success of a CPU isn’t just about square footage — it’s about design and infrastructure.
Effective CPUs prioritise:
Logical production flow to reduce bottlenecks
Adequate power, extraction, and drainage
Segregation of clean and dirty processes
Space for future growth and equipment upgrades
Easy access for deliveries and dispatch
Poorly designed spaces lead to higher labour costs, wasted movement, and operational inefficiencies… all of which scale quickly as output increases.
Why Many Businesses Choose Flexible CPU Spaces
Building a standalone production facility requires significant capital investment, long lead times, and operational risk.
Purpose-built CPU spaces offer:
Faster setup and reduced upfront costs
Flexibility to scale up or adapt layouts
Infrastructure designed specifically for food production
Facilities that evolve alongside your business
For many operators, this approach offers a smarter path to growth.
Central Production Units at Encore Kitchens
At Encore Kitchens, we design and operate production-focused spaces built to support food businesses at scale.
Our facilities are created with:
Central production in mind
Distribution and dispatch built into layouts
Flexibility for changing production needs
Infrastructure that supports efficiency, compliance, and growth
Whether you’re scaling production, centralising operations, or preparing for wholesale distribution, our spaces are designed to work as hard as your business does.
Thinking About a Central Production Unit?
If your current kitchen is limiting output, increasing costs, or slowing growth, it may be time to explore a CPU-led approach.
Get in touch with our team to discuss production spaces designed for scale