The food-service market of the United Arab Emirate is booming, thanks to the growing arrival of the foreigners. So, this is the best time to open your own small café or a coffee shop in the UAE. Get your cafeteria license in Dubai to tantalize the taste buds of the Emirati nationals and expatriates.
UAE’s economic diversification plans after the Expo 2020 have overall grown the food and beverage industry. Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) department of DED reveals that two restaurants and one coffee shop open daily in Dubai. Nearly 500 outlets (operational restaurants and cafes) did open during the first three months of 2019 alone.
These statistics instill the UAE investors have a great business opportunity to capitalize on, to open a cafeteria in Dubai. It is no surprise that food & beverage café scene is flourishing in Dubai and across the UAE. Due to entry of new hotels, shopping malls, theme parks and other infrastructure projects, entrepreneurs are setting up coffee shops there.
Process to start a cafeteria business in Dubai
This guide explains the 8 steps to secure a cafeteria license in Dubai.
- Step 1: Secure food and trade licenses
- Step 2: Get approval on construction plans
- Step 3: Choose your best location
- Step 4: Sign tenancy contract with the landlord
- Step 5: Select a local sponsor
- Step 6: Submit documents to the regulators
- Step 7: Acquire an NOC for food safety
- Step 8: Register with Ministry of Labor and Immigration
Now, we briefly look upon the step-by-step procedure of getting cafeteria license in Dubai for starting a small food-service business.
Step 1: Secure food and trade licenses
The first step in starting your café business in Dubai is securing food and trade licenses. You can acquire the food license through the Food and Safety department in Dubai. Whereas, the trade license is given by the DED and Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).
In case, you plan to offer some extra options in your menu other than the normal food-service items. Then, there is a number of special licenses you can apply for in Dubai. For example, Ramadan permit, delivery permit, animal slaughter permit, liquor permit, etc.
Step 2: Get approval on construction plans
Be thorough with the requirements of food and safety department and get approval on construction plans.
- Food consignment release license
- Meat handling permit for handling and serving food products
- Vehicle permit for transporting food products
Step 3: Choose your best location
Location is everything when you are starting a restaurant or cafeteria business in Dubai. Apart from your menu, location will spot the difference between your cafe success and your doom.
Go for an accessible area for your cafeteria with plenty of parking space and high footfall. Visibility is the key. Take time to choose the right location for your cafeteria. Check whether the location is near commercial and residential places. Does it attract crowds, does it suit your budget and does it provide your business the potential for growth? These factors are crucial which need to be taken under serious consideration when selecting your business space.
The best option for your café location would be to go for business setup in Dubai mainland.
Step 4: Sign tenancy contract with the landlord
Negotiating for a realistic rent and occupancy cost matters a lot. Signing a tenancy contract with your landlord serves as a supporting document to secure the cafeteria license in Dubai.
Step 5: Select a local sponsor
You may appoint a UAE national as a local sponsor for your cafeteria in Dubai mainland. This local Emirati sponsor can act as a sleeping partner for your company, or can serve as a public liaison. Sign an agreement with your local partner at notary public court.
Step 6: Submit documents to the regulators
The last step for you application for obtaining cafeteria license in Dubai is submission of required documents to Department of Economic Development (DED). After getting the required approvals, hold back for a while and let DED and Dubai Municipality work on getting you a license within a week.
Step 7: Acquire an NOC for food safety
Apply for a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) on food product establishment trade license from the Food Safety Department in Dubai.
Step 8: Register with Ministry of Labor and Immigration
Once you have acquired your license, you can register it with the Ministry of Labor and the Immigration Department in order to apply for visas for workers who are required to run your cafeteria.
For a smooth start of your cafeteria business, read more on Dubai Company formation Guide.
Also Read: How to open a restaurant in Dubai
Necessary documents to register a cafeteria in Dubai
These are the compulsory documents for registering a cafeteria setup in Dubai.
Documents for blueprints of the restaurant
- Food processing and storage space
- Sanitary spaces such as restrooms
- Windows and ventilation system
- Location of the equipment used to process the food
- Entry and exit passages
- Location of the washing machines
Paperwork for food license approval from the Food & Safety Department
- Initial approval issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED)
- Layout of the cafeteria premises
- Approval from the Planning Department (if the restaurant will be located outside a shopping center)
Documents for trade license approval from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing
- Signed license application (by the company managers or their legal representatives)
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Attested company name approval letter from the DED
- Copies of the passports of the management partners
Conclusion
The coffee culture is a savoring tradition in the UAE and the Arabian region. It is a symbol of hospitality at palaces, homes, social gatherings and celebrations. Also, there are continuous government expenditures on domestic construction and development projects.
Do you need professional help for setting up a cafeteria in Dubai? Connect with professional business consultants in Dubai at KWS Middle East. Contact us or send your cafe setup query at info@kwsme.com right now.
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