Chongqing- Inside the Meizizi BBQ Rice Bowl kitchen in Chongqing's bustling Guanyinqiao business district, the impact of China's first regulation targeting delivery-only restaurants is already showing results. 

"I spent over 30,000 yuan ($4,180) upgrading the kitchen according to the new rules. Now we're receiving 50 more orders daily,” said owner Mr. Chen on July 19.

Meituan's online platform features a "Transparent Kitchen" livestream. (Photo/Meituan)

The Specifications for Delivery-only Restaurant Operation and Service, released by the Chongqing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, was implemented on July 1. It established a comprehensive, full-chain regulatory system for businesses that operate without dine-in services. The guideline is the first of its kind in China and sets clear standards from business entry and kitchen operation to packaging and delivery.

Delivery-only restaurants, often operating as kitchen-only setups without on-site dining, have gained popularity for their flexibility and low overhead. However, they also pose significant food safety challenges due to the lack of on-site customer supervision and limited regulatory visibility.

The newly enforced specification aims to close these gaps. For instance, in Mr. Chen's kitchen, high-definition cameras now livestream food preparation to ordering platforms. The floor is visibly clean, ingredients are labeled and stored separately, and all kitchen staff wear protective gear such as hairnets.

In line with the specification, delivery-only restaurants must publicly display food business licenses, offer real-time kitchen video access, and implement digital traceability systems. Additional requirements include tamper-evident packaging and mandatory safety checks by delivery personnel.

Xiao Li, a delivery rider, explained, "The platform requires us to take weekly food safety courses. We now have to check if the packaging seal is intact before we pick up an order."

Across town, in Yubei District, the owner of "Xiaochuniang Light Meals" reported similar improvements. "We used to stack vegetables in any corner. Now we have designated zones, and law enforcement officers guided us through the renovation," said Ms. Wang. Her kitchen is now divided into separate cleaning, prep, and cooking zones, with cutting boards color-coded for raw and cooked foods.

According to the 55th statistical report on China's Internet development, as of December 2024, China had 592 million food delivery users, accounting for 53.4% of total internet users.

A spokesperson for the Chongqing Municipal Administration for Market Regulation said the new rule targets long-standing regulatory blind spots. "Delivery-only operations used to be a zone with no dine-in area, no on-site oversight, and no traceability," the official stated. The specification now mandates kitchen visibility, food safety seals, and digital tracking of every order.

Major delivery platform Meituan has responded by requiring all new satellite stores to install live kitchen monitoring systems. The platform is also piloting AI inspections that automatically flag non-compliant behavior in kitchen livestreams.

The restaurant industry has shown a clear trend toward digitalization and online operations in recent years. A notable development is the rise of satellite stores, lightweight outlets launched by chain restaurant brands specifically for delivery services. These streamlined, delivery-focused kitchens have emerged as a key growth segment in the food service industry.

According to Yuan Shuai, deputy secretary-general of the Zhongguancun Internet of Things Industry Alliance, the specification will bring operational changes to the sector. "Stores will need to invest more in food quality, packaging, and training, and adopt stricter processes," he said. Yuan believes the specification will establish a benchmark that enhances the industry's order and competitiveness.

If fully implemented, authorities estimate the regulation could reduce food safety risks in Chongqing's delivery-only restaurant sector by 60%.