As a restaurant owner and foodie myself, I have always been keen on trying cuisines from all around the world. Dubai is the perfect place for that. It could be dubbed the culinary capital of the UAE. People from all over the world are eager to set up their restaurants to give people a taste of their homeland. You can have a plethora of European, Middle Eastern, Asian, African, and Southeast Asian dishes all in one place. A restaurant or food business is a lucrative option in Dubai and the UAE, provided you know certain necessities in terms of business and regulations.

I am familiar with some of the basic requirements to set up a restaurant in Dubai based on my personal experience when applying for my restaurant license. This blog will cover a few basic procedures and requirements you will need to complete to start serving up deliciousness.

Licensing for Restaurants

A Reastaurant License in Dubai is an important aspect of starting a restaurant business in Dubai. Acquiring a trade and food license is mandatory before starting your dream. The restaurant and café business is one of the most sought-after business and travel destinations in the Middle East. The Food and Safety Department is in charge of issuing the food license. The Department of Economic Development, Dubai, and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing are responsible for issuing the trade license in Dubai.

Acquiring both these licenses is paramount for starting and running a restaurant business in Dubai, failing to which you may end up with penalties or even a shutdown.  You should also ensure that the documentation part is flawless and verified by the relevant authorities. Even if you are experienced in conducting a Restaurant or Cafeteria business in other parts of the world, the business set up rules in Dubai is a bit different. Therefore, you may need relentless support and assistance from someone who is already established in the field or a proactive business setup professional. Kiltons Business Setup Services  LLC has decades of experience and expertise in the field of business setup in Dubai and all the other Emirates. Starting your restaurant business right from the scratch is a humongous task (not at all an exaggeration) and may require other permits like Liquor Permit, Ramadan permit etc. 

Find An Apt Location For Your Restaurant Business

Finding the most suitable location serves as a deciding factor for the success or profitability of your business. Have a clear picture in mind regarding your customers and their tastes. Based on the same, prepare the pricing for various food items. Let me explain in simple words. If your customers are not able to afford your foodstuffs, it might seriously affect the profitability of your business. For example, if you are investing in an area that is home to the ordinary expat population, it would be wise to go to a restaurant that offers affordable meals. Bur Dubai, Deira, and Karama are some of the most affordable residential areas in Dubai. Whereas glamorous and expensive locations like the Palm Jumeirah or Emirates Hills are visited by tourists who prefer luxury, In these locations, you may consider a high-profile restaurant. Therefore, the spending capacity of your customer is the key factor here. 

Another point to consider is the presence of competitors in your preferred location. If you have a good number of competitors, it is always wise to consider a different location, unless you have something special (for example, a delicacy) to offer your customers. You may seriously consider the areas that are under construction, the upcoming tourist spots, or any particular locale that is sure to attract your target customers in large numbers. For this, you need to have reliable local assistance and support to determine the appropriate location based on the type, nature, and budget of your business.

Prepare A Detailed Business Plan

Your business plan should give priority to 4 essential aspects and they are listed below. 

• Have a precise objective for your business.
• Set aside money as a contingency fund to take care of unexpected eventualities.
• Each and every dirham that you invest in the business should help you to enhance the profits.
• As you climb up the ladder, do the best to safeguard your brand.

Food Code

In Dubai, a Food Code is pertinent to all the businesses that fall under the food sector. The businesses that fall under this category are restaurants, cafeterias, hotels, bakeries, grocery outlets, stores, food manufacturing units, food storage warehouses, catering units, canteens, etc. Therefore, the same Food Code is applicable for a restaurant business. The food code is a system followed to ensure food safety compliance.

Design and Layout

There are certain prerequisites to satisfy when it comes to the design and layout of the restaurant. The consent of the Food Control Department is mandatory before the commencement of construction. Please contact Kiltons’ food sector advisors for the detailed design and layout guidelines.

Other Permits

You may have to acquire other permits if necessary, like a vehicle permit, a pork permit, a liquor permit, etc.

Now you might have gotten a hint of how tedious and time-consuming the whole process of restaurant incorporation in Dubai is. Only an efficient and experienced business setup professional with a precise understanding of the latest market scenario can manage the whole licensing and incorporation procedure. And that’s what Kiltons Business Setup Services do.

Please let us know your requirements. We are always ready to help you.