Cooking Mania gives you five restaurants of increasing difficulty rather than one that gradually speeds up. Each has its own menu and its own pace, so moving up a venue is a real step rather than a slightly faster version of the last one.
Between shifts you upgrade equipment, which is essential — the later restaurants are balanced around a kitchen you've invested in.
Five, each with its own menu and a higher difficulty than the last, unlocked by hitting the previous one's target.
Yes — the later restaurants are balanced around an upgraded kitchen, so investing between shifts is part of the progression rather than optional.
Yes — a light browser game with nothing to install.