The UAE is gaining worldwide recognition for its fantastic food experience. It offers an exhilarating gastronomic experience that is not just limited to its seven-star luxurious restaurants. Also, its quaint cafes, and most notably many food trucks that are lining the streets are serving people there.
F&B industry of Dubai, including food trucks/carts is showcasing an upward trend of growth. This rising demand is due to the huge influx of tourists that are coming to the UAE round the year. Gradually, it has become the culinary hub of the Middle East, with international food chains opening their franchises in Dubai.
In recent years, food trucks in Dubai are gaining popularity, thus driving the demand for food truck licenses in Dubai. There are endless possibilities which cuisines you can sell from food trucks, or what theme the food truck can display. Usually, food carts/trucks around the world sell local meals.
As the land of expatriates, the food trucks in Dubai are seen selling the international street foods. For example, Indian Chai, Chinese Dumplings, Italian Pizza/Meatballs/Spaghetti, Mexican Tamales, Turkish Kebabs, Korean Fried Chicken, Japanese Takoyaki, etc. Moreover, positioning food trucks with maximum visibility and easy access enables maximum foot traffic.
Setting up a food truck business in the UAE demands lesser capital, in comparison to opening a restaurant there. Either, you can lease a food truck, or you can purchase your own food truck. Plus, the rent of a food truck is more inexpensive, versus renting a place for a restaurant. Therefore, the return on investment (ROI) in the case of food trucks is also a lot quicker.
Process of license registration of a food truck in Dubai
The most of the mechanism a food truck business in Dubai is same like registering a restaurant. However, you need some extra approvals for this purpose. Let us list these additional permissions.
- Get initial approval for food truck
- Acquire operational approval from Dubai Municipality
- Obtain safety approval from HACCP
Here, we look into these extra approvals for the food trucks in Dubai.
Get initial approval for food truck
Take initial permission from the Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) for you food truck setup. For acquiring this approval, you have to submit a comprehensive business plan to the DET. The business plan must define the following aspects.
- Idea: Describing the thought behind this business venture, its objectives, short-term, long-term goals, etc.
- Financial plan: How do you plan on raising funds needed for the business. Where will you get the required capital?
- Concept: What kind of food will you be serving? What will be the theme of the food truck?
- Business model: What type of business model you will be using?
The business plan must include a list of your immediate competitors and ways to face them. Also, it must suggest addons that add value to your business. The financial plan must consist of these elements.
- Thorough funding strategy: Whether gathering funds from investors or self-investment
- Risks: Hardships associated with the business and the methods to reduce the impact
- Viability: Convincing the authorities your idea of a food truck is well-thought-out and is profitable
Acquire operational approval from Dubai Municipality
Take the permission from Dubai Municipality (DM) for assembling, movement, and parking of food trucks.
Obtain safety approval from HACCP
The relevant authorities must approve both the food truck, and the kitchen in it for safety and hygiene. Certified food trucks help strengthen your brand’s credibility as it guarantees your commitment to providing safe food. You have obligation to get two certifications from Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) for these purposes.
- Layout for the food truck: This involves the overall design of your kitchen. The kitchen setup, The food storage system, the cooking area, and the cooking system, the waste disposal system, the cooking system, etc. should be approved.
- Design of the food truck: This includes the entire plan of the food truck, besides the kitchen—other aspects like the provision for electricity, specs of the truck, safety measures, hygiene conditions of the entire truck, etc.
It demonstrates your earnestness towards eradicating different hazards from your food truck by using effective tactics. Also, it ensures the highest safety, and the maintenance of the hygiene standards. Permit from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is necessary for business branding on the food truck.
Calculate business start-up cost
Conclusion
Do you want to start a food truck business in Dubai? Be in touch with KWS Middle East, a premier business setup consultancy who works to get you the requisite approvals. Once, these approvals come in from the government authorities, you can legally run your Dubai food truck.
For connecting with KWS Middle East, call us at +97180059763, email us at info@kwsme.com, or WhatsApp us at +971509664705 now.
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