Quick Guide to all the Licenses and Registrations required for a Restaurant Business

Let’s be honest, how awesome, how amazing it would be to own your own restaurant? All of us have had that dream of owning a restaurant at some point in time. Ok, even if you’ve never considered owning one, let’s think about it for a second: you’d literally never have to think about a venue to hang out with your best buddies, dine with your family and more. Let’s keep that part aside, if you are a committed entrepreneur, restaurant ownership can be fun, exhilarating and profitable as well.  Sounds exciting? Great, now let us see the legal requirements you should have in order to start your own restaurant business. Assuming you have a registered restaurant now, here is the list of license and Registrations required:

Food Safety License FSSAI:

A Food Safety License from FSSAI is a mandatory license for all types of restaurants. It sets the benchmark for quality, nutrition, and food safety of the restaurant. Having this license denotes that your restaurant meets the standard and quality set by the FSSAI.

Trade License:

This license is obtained from the Municipal Corporation or Health Department of the state and provides you the permission to trade food products.

Eating House License:

Eating House License is a mandatory license, which could be availed from the  Police Commissioner of the relevant locality of your restaurant. It certifies the ambiance and location of your restaurant are fit for public visitation and is in good shape.

Liquor License:

A Liquor License is granted only by the Excise Commissioner’s Office and is mandatory for all those folks who are planning to serve alcoholic beverages in their restaurant.

Approval or Re-Approval of Restaurants:

This one is to be taken from Department of Tourism of Government of India, this grants you permission to acquire L-4 license. If restaurants are looking to acquire L-4 license then they have to take prior approval from the Department of Tourism of the Govt. of India in the concerned state.

Playing of Music in restaurants:

You need to take this license from License Phonographic Performance Limited or Indian Performing Right Society. This is applicable if you have music playing in your restaurant.

Environmental Clearance:

A NOC from the Pollution Board of the city/state is required to ensure the restaurant’s activities do not violate pollution norms.

Lift clearance: Restaurants in multi-story building premises need to ensure that the lift operations comply with safety norms. For this, they need a clearance certificate from the Electrical inspector in the office of the Labor Commissioner.

Fire Security Certificate: All restaurants need to be secure against fire hence they need a NOC from the fire department of the city. On application, an inspection is carried out and on fulfilling all criteria the officials of the Fire Department will grant the NOC or let you know where there is a shortfall in fire safety on your restaurant.

Shop and Establishment Registration:

You need to do this registration with the state government in labor department. This is to regulate conditions of work and to provide for regulation of the employers and rights of the employees in unorganized sector of employment and other establishments.

Insurances required:

The restaurants need to have insurance for Public Liability, Product Liability, fire policy and policy for building and assets. Get these insurance policies from any recognized insurance company.

Signage license:

Restaurants can obtain this license from the local civic bodies like Municipal Committee or City Corporation so that your Display Board is as per the guidelines laid by the civic body.

Approval from Weights & Measures Department:

According to the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, you require approval for the weighing and measuring instruments you use in the restaurant from the Weights & Measures Department.

To venture into the restaurant business, besides a business plan and financial security you also need to make a comprehensive list of compulsory regulatory requirements. After obtaining all the licenses you can concentrate on running your business. However, you need to ensure the periodical renewal of the licenses on or before the due date.

You can always visit our website for any information required for the above-mentioned license and registration by just clicking here.