Hopefully random ideas are welcome here but here is my idea (I have some understanding, but zero restaurant exp) as simple as I can explain it.
Open a deli (or restaurant) that outsources the food to small and home based businesses. For example, at a given time you have 6 vendors for hot food / main dishes, and 6 vendors for snacks, desserts, etc. All are under contract as to the demands for supply, quality, consignment, etc.
Two selling points for driving traffic is an appealing hospitable atmosphere (I envision something like Cracker Barrel in the US), and a rotation of quality talent making the food (with a homemade flair).
I'm looking for overall opinions, and was curious to discuss two points.
-Acting like a small scale broker for small kitchens, would margins be too small for both parties? Obviously this method may drastically cut costs, the onsite kitchen would be more for storage and cleaning.
-Is this even legal? I don't intend for some loophole where food is sold that isn't properly inspected/permitted etc. I'm most curious about this.
I think it would be a novel and adaptable retail space for different convenient eats, and give exposure to talent that can't spend the hours and capital for an established restaurant.
Thanks.