The UAE is a lively country that is full of vibrant cultures, which are thriving together. So, the need for quick, tasty, and diverse food options is growing among both Emirati nationals and expats. You can open a street food corner in Dubai to serve the delicious meals to locals and foreign travelers.
More and more foreigners are coming to the United Arab Emirates thanks to its greater economic potential. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah have become full of the emigrants availing rewarding financial opportunities. Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Umm Al Quwain are embracing the expatriates as well.
Many of these foreigners in the UAE are part of the working class and labor force. Also, the sightseeing places of the UAE attract loads of tourists every year. The majority of these people seek affordable eateries to fulfill their dining needs.
A blend of different cultures means the UAE has a diverse cuisine to present to everyone. The UAE covers everything from traditional Arabic dishes to continental meals to the fast foods. Thus, covering every food taste is a spectacle that the UAE is brilliantly pulling off.
Newbie investors want to make the most of their financial investments in the UAE. Presently, launching a business in Dubai to serve roadside food is a lucrative venture for them. This is a thorough guide to assist you to successfully set up a street food point in Dubai.
Considerations for roadside street food stalls in Dubai
Here are some important things to consider for investors while planning a successful street food points in Dubai.
- Conduct market research to critically assess the eating preferences of people in Dubai
- Analyze the offerings of your competitors to your target market
- You need to seek all business license and essential regulatory approvals
- Also, you have to strictly follow the Dubai Municipality’s food safety regulations
- Carefully budget your street food setup, all permits, and other operational costs
- Choose your vendors, equipment, cooks, and other staff with great attention
Process of starting a street food corner in Dubai
Serving flavorful food is only one aspect of incorporating a roadside food corner in Dubai. You must have the complete knowledge of the complexities in setting up a food-service business. Do thorough market research to analyze the demand of the items you will sell at your drive-through food-place in Dubai.
Come up with a proper business plan for a street food place in Dubai to get successful. Once, it is done, next you have to register your roadside foodservice setup in Dubai. You have to follow this step-by-step procedure that requires legal documentation and patience.
- Finalize business structure: Selecting an appropriate business structure for your street food setup in Dubai is crucial. Decide between forming an LLC, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Picking a suitable corporate entity is just like laying the foundation of roadside food place.
- Choose trade name: Coming up with a right trade name for your Dubai food street business is one of the key steps. Because, it helps you in attracting more customers to your roadside food setup. Therefore, make sure your company name is distinctive, pertinent, and compliant with the UAE laws.
- Obtain initial approval: Submit your application to the Department of Economic Development (DED) to get your NOC. Draft and notarize the Memorandum of Association (MOA). Prepare and notarize the Articles of Association (AOA), if applicable in your case.
- Find accessible street food corner: You need a decent location to operate your street food venture in Dubai. Get prior authorization from the Dubai Municipality (DM) for your roadside food point. Definitely, choose a suitable place that aligns with your delicacies and the clientele.
- Prepare legal paperwork: Draft all these necessary legal documents to fulfill regulatory requirements.
- Copies of the owners’ and partners’ passports
- A business plan outlining the idea, finances, and target market
- Trade name registration certificate
- MOA and AOA
- Health and safety certifications
- Rent/lease agreement of street food place
- A sponsor’s NOC, if applicable
- Acquire license and permits: Complete documentation that you require to finalize the registration — trade license, and food safety permit. Submit all the legal documents to the DED and other relevant authorities. Pay license dues and other necessary fee, and start operations once you receive regulators’ approval.
Consult with us
Licenses and permits for Dubai street food setups
These are important licenses, permits, and approvals for roadside Dubai street food setups.
- Trade license: Obtaining a street food business license in Dubai is mandatory for all businesses, including street food sellers. This license by the Department of Economic Development (DED) is a valid authorization to conduct business in the city.
- Food permit: Food Safety Department of the Dubai Municipality (DM) requires street food vendors to get a food permit. All food products in Dubai are sure to adhere to the safety and hygienic regulations thanks to this permission.
- Health certificate: Food vendors must get a health certificate from a licensed medical facility in Dubai. This certificate confirms their medical fitness to handle and serve the street food.
- Food safety awareness certificate: Street food vendors in Dubai must get an awareness certificate from the Food Safety Department of Dubai Municipality.
- Insurance: Dubai street food vendors must have liability insurance, which covers possible losses or damages that their business may face.
Types of street food point setups in Dubai to pursue
Entrepreneurs can open a street food corner in Dubai from these kinds.
- Food trailers and trucks: The incredibly adaptable food trucks in Dubai are popular for enabling movement between various locations.
- Roadside pop-up restaurants: These temporary eateries are ideal in busy locations of Dubai.
- Food market stalls: These are perfect for seasonal sales in Dubai’s street food markets.
- Deliver-only street cloud kitchens: These are the roadside adaptation of the cloud kitchens in Dubai for the street food delivery and pickup.
- Food kiosks: These temporary kiosks provide a small selection of menu items in shopping malls, business centers, and entertainment venues.
Some locations for successful street food spots in Dubai
Picking up a right location has key importance, while beginning an in-demand street food spot in Dubai. However, single out a place that is appropriate for the kind of street foods you want to sell. Some of the best areas to open street food corners in Dubai include the following.
- Jumeirah Beach: This is perfect location in Dubai if you plan of opening a temporary casual dining spot or a food truck.
- Dubai Marina: This is a perfect location for high end roadside food kiosks in Dubai.
- City Walk: It is a captivating destination in Dubai attracting foreign tourists and local Emirati foodies alike.
- Downtown Dubai: This is an ideal location for your premium street food business in Dubai.
- La Mer: It is beachfront location in Dubai where you can install different kind of food stalls.
Important activities in street food businesses in Dubai
Some noteworthy activities that can make or break your street food business in Dubai are as follows.
- Menu development: Create a captivating menu that aligns with the customers’ demands in Dubai.
- Customer engagement: If your customer service is not good, then you will not survive in this business. So, think about offering food promotions and loyalty programs.
- Quality control: It is one of key elements to make your street food business successful. Hence, take great care of hygiene and follow food safety protocols.
- Branding and marketing: Build a strong brand that fulfills the needs of the foodies across Dubai.
Benefits of opening a roadside street food shop in Dubai
These are the advantages of forming the roadside street food points in Dubai.
- The global tourist attraction Dubai is home to beautiful beach, eye-captivating skyscrapers, splendid buildings, trendy malls, and multi-cultural cuisine.
- If you consider setting up a street food corner business in Dubai, its tourism sector ensures steady customer base.
- Street food spots require quite less capital, in comparison to the regular restaurants in Dubai.
- You have access to tourists, expatriate residents, and local Emirati nationals.
- The government of Dubai takes initiative in supporting and promoting the food entrepreneurship.
- In case, you have a mobile food setup, it is even more beneficial, as you can serve high traffic areas.
Insights and market trends
- Eco-friendly and sustainable food packaging solutions are very popular in Dubai.
- People are embracing healthier options like organic meals in street foods throughout Dubai.
- Creating innovative menus through fusion cuisine, by blending different culinary traditions is gaining traction in Dubai.
- Themed food trucks attract right kind of audience in Dubai.
- Once, you grow mainstream from street food, online ordering systems and digital payment options are your partners.
Conclusion
Opening a street food corner in Dubai can seem hectic, as you have to consider a lot of things. Nevertheless, things become easy, once you step foot on the path. Professional consultants like KWS Middle East make your registration procedure smooth.
Author Bio
