Cafe License In UAE
Dubai is a fast-paced, rapidly expanding city. Centrally located in the Middle East, Dubai boasts a large volume of foreign investors and residents, who possess the ability to improve and expand the city’s economy. The food and beverage industry in particular has witnessed a growth-spurt, especially after the pandemic and lockdown. New cafes are seen on the corner of every street, and the abundance of choice does not hamper them from flourishing. This is why setting up a cafe in Dubai with an interesting or novel concept is a profitable and advantageous business move. In this guide, we will detail all the steps required to get your cafe running from scratch.Starting A Cafe In Dubai
While the process of starting a cafe in Dubai may be lengthy and comprehensive, it is by no means impossible to do. However, to avoid any mistakes that might lead you to not receiving a license that allows you to run a cafe, it is best to consult with business set-up experts and agencies to ensure you have the best possible chance. Running a cafe in Dubai requires two main licenses. Firstly, you need a cafe/ coffee shop license. The Department of Economic Development (DED) is the entity in Dubai that is responsible for issuing licenses for all businesses. After this, you need to curate a detailed business plan, which will be presented to the food control department in Dubai. Once your plan has been approved, you can now apply for the food license, which is issued by the Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Department (FSD). This license requires a copy of your trade license, as well as a blueprint of your cafeteria, detailing the entrances, exits, food cooking and processing regions, storage areas, ventilation units, windows, doors, equipment, etc. Some aspects of keeping a cafeteria license valid require a constant maintenance of standards, particularly in the context of food safety and sanitation. Your cafe must adhere to the government structured rules regarding food production, hygiene, preparation, storage, ventilation, cleaning methods, etc.Steps To Procure A Cafe License
- Apply for a trade license from DED
- Apply for a food license from FSD
- Find a location for your cafe
- Draft an MOA (Memorandum of Association)
- Sign a lease agreement with your partners (if any)
- Apply for an NOC (No Objection Certificate)
- Complete payments to obtain your cafeteria license