One of the businesses that offer low gestation period or simply the fastest revenue generator post project completion is a restaurant. The reason being, it caters to one of the basic needs of humans; food. Entrepreneurs all over the world are attracted to this commercial enterprise for its ‘quick returns’ factor. However, the laws to open the same vary from country to country. UAE in general and Dubai in particular also has its own set rules and regulations.

Restaurant business setup in Dubai can be surprisingly smooth if aspiring restaurateurs opt for the services of business setup firms like Business Link UAE.

How to start a restaurant in Dubai?

At the very outset, one has to understand that Dubai has devised a system called ‘Food Code’ for different categories of food businesses. Restaurants, cafeterias, and cafes belong to a certain category and therefore reflect a particular food code. Some of the other food businesses which require this tagging system are mentioned below.

• Restaurants built within supermarkets, grocery stores or malls.
• Mobile food providers/Kiosk vendors.
• Food business within educational institutions and hospitals.
• Bakeries and confectioners.

So, who regulates the food code? The answer is the Food Control Department of Dubai Municipality.

It is DM’s responsibility to make sure the new venture adheres to the specific rules and point out irregularities if found unsatisfactory

To start a restaurant business in UAE or Dubai the entrepreneur needs to decide on the type of the food business this entity intends to set up, and obtain a relevant food code.  The next step is to get a trade license.

So, how to initiate this step, and from where to get restaurant business license in Dubai?

Trade license for a restaurant in Dubai is obtained through the Department of Economic Development (DED). As mentioned above the entrepreneur also needs to narrow down the category of food joint because the license mentions the relevant code. To start the restaurant business in Dubai this step is mandatory. Therefore, it is suggested to fine tune the aspirations and not rush into multiple food codes.

An entrepreneur can then start developing/constructing the restaurant as per specified rules laid out by the Food Control Department of Dubai. Some of the important decrees to open a restaurant in Dubai include a space/distance of at least thirty meters between the proposed restaurant and the waste disposal hubs. This is typically demanded so that the food is not contaminated in any way. Yet another area which can terminate the proposed project is by not adhering to the drainage system rules and prerequisites. Therefore, the design and development team must religiously follow every rule of the Food Control Department. This is where consultancy firms like Business Link UAE can step in and make things easier.

Mentioned below are some of the other stipulations when considering how to set up a restaurant business in Dubai:

• Proper ventilation for a cooking area.
• High-quality kitchen equipment and storage vis-à-vis to process food.
• The allocated space for kitchen and individual sections.
• Use of stainless steel for washing, drying and storing utensils.
• Suitable provision for emergency exit/s.
• Fire prevention and handling equipment.

Entrepreneurs connected with restaurant industry also need to get a restaurant business license in Dubai for food consignment release and permit for processing and serving pork.

Whether you want to start the restaurant business in UAE or Dubai a special license is required to serve liquor to customers. For the rest, our well experienced Dubai business setup consultants will assist you to make the whole legal procedure smooth and get the right trade license without any obstacles.