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Overview

There has never been a better moment to launch your own coffee shop in the UAE, with the market for coffee shops booming. Two restaurants and one coffee shop open every day in Dubai, according to the Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) division of the Department of Economic Development, DED Dubai. Nearly 500 outlets (functioning restaurants and cafés) have opened in the emirate just in the first three months of 2019.

Café culture is thriving in the UAE, which is unsurprising. To begin with, coffee culture is a savoring tradition in the United Arab Emirates. At palaces, residences, social events, and festivities, it is a symbol of welcome. Second, because the government continues to spend money on domestic construction and development projects, businesses are opening coffee shops as a result of the arrival of new hotels, shopping malls, theme parks, and other infrastructure projects.

In addition, the approaching Expo and the UAE's economic diversification goals are benefiting the food and beverage industry.

An extra 19,000 outlets are likely to open in Dubai by 2019, according to Euromonitor International, providing even another reason to invest in the food and beverage business there. Customers have come from every continent in the world to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The government is supportive, offering lucrative benefits for anyone who want to open a restaurant or cafeteria in Dubai.

What is the definition of a cafeteria license?

The Cafeteria License allows your company to open and manage a cafeteria in Dubai or a free zone, catering to the UAE market. A cafeteria license is a food license required in Dubai to open a cafeteria, small restaurant, food truck, or restaurant chain. In order to apply for a Cafeteria license in Dubai, you must first obtain a Professional license from the DED.

In Dubai, there is a license category for cafeterias.

• Name of the License: Cafeteria License.
• Activity Code: 552003.
• Activity Group: Restaurants and Coffee Shops.
• License Type: Professional.

Why would you want to open a cafeteria in Dubai?

Dubai's economy is diversifying away from reliance on hydrocarbons and toward tourism, retail, and manufacturing, making it resilient to frequent changes in oil prices. Furthermore, the ecosystem, with its modern infrastructure, state-of-the-art telecom networks, world-class logistics, and supportive framework with low taxes and total foreign ownership, attracts foreign investors to set up companies in Dubai, start business ventures, or commercial operations in the region.

In Dubai, how can you get a cafeteria license?

Obtaining food and trade licenses is a vital step if you wish to build a restaurant or cafeteria in Dubai. The Food and Safety Department will issue a food license, while the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai will issue a trade license. Obtaining a license is a crucial step; missing any of the required stages could result in legal fines and the shutdown of your firm. Let's look at the stages involved in obtaining a cafeteria license in Dubai.

Food Safety and Trade License

Obtaining food and trade licenses is the first step in operating a café in Dubai. Food licenses are obtained through the Food and Safety Department, while trade licenses are obtained from the Department of Economic Development and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

If you want to add something special to your menu, you can apply for a delivery permit, a liquor license, a pork permit, a Ramadan permit, and other special permits in Dubai.

Obtain Construction Plan Approval

Follow the food and safety department's guidelines to the letter, and obtain clearance for your construction plans.

• license for the release of food consignments.
• Pork permits are required to handle and serve pork products.
• Permit for delivering food products by vehicle.

Choose the Best Location for You

When it comes to opening a restaurant or cafeteria in Dubai, location is crucial. Apart from your cuisine, your cafe's location will determine whether it succeeds or fails.

Choose a location for your cafeteria that is easily accessible, has plenty of parking, and receives a lot of foot traffic. The importance of visibility cannot be overstated. Take your time when deciding on a location for your cafeteria. Check to see if the site is close to both commercial and residential areas. Is it popular, does it fit your budget, and does it have the potential to develop your business? These are important considerations to consider when choosing a location for your business.

Going for a business establishment on Dubai mainland is the greatest alternative for your café location.

Sign a lease agreement with the landlord.

Negotiating a reasonable rent and occupancy cost is crucial. Signing a lease agreement with your landlord is a need for obtaining a cafeteria license in Dubai.

Choose a local sponsor.

Setting up a cafeteria in Dubai, either onshore or on the mainland, necessitates the hiring of a local sponsor (a UAE national) who will function as your company's sleeping partner. At the notary public court, sign an agreement with your local partner.

According to UAE Companies and Civil Law, an LLC firm owner must nominate a local sponsor with a minimum equity share of 51 percent.

All documents must be submitted to the Department of Economic Development.

The submission of essential documentation to DED Dubai is the final stage in your application for a cafeteria license in Dubai. Hold off for a while after receiving the necessary permits and let DED and Dubai Municipality to work on getting you a license within a week. Some of the documents required are as follows-

For blueprints of the restaurant:

• the space for food processing and storage
• the sanitary spaces such as restrooms
• the windows and ventilation system
• the location of the equipment used to process the food
• the entry and exit passages
• the location of the washing machines

For food license approval from the Food & Safety Department:

• the first approval issued by the Department of Economic Development (DED)
• the layout of the premises
• approval from the Planning Department, if the restaurant is to be located outside a shopping center

For trade license approval from the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing:

• a license application signed by the company managers or their legal representatives
• a Memorandum of Association (MOA)
• attested company name approval letter from the DED
• passport copy of management partners.

Certificate of No Objection

Apply to the Food Safety Department in Dubai for a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) on a food product establishment trading license.

Make an appointment with the Ministry of Labour and Immigration.

After you've obtained your license, you'll need to register it with the Ministry of Labour and the Immigration Department so that you may apply for visas for the employees you'll need to run your cafeteria.

Opening a Cafeteria in Dubai: Food Safety Requirements

The cafeteria must receive licenses such as the following to assure food safety:

• a license to release food on consignment
• For handling and serving pork products, you'll need a pork permit.
• a permit for transporting food products in a vehicle

Import/export of food products is likewise subject to strict government regulations. Furthermore, the restaurant must be located at least 50 metres from waste disposal facilities to avoid food contamination. At all times, at least 10 metres of the area surrounding the restaurant shall be kept clean. The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) can renew your trade license once a year.

Activities permitted under the Cafeteria License in Dubai

• Selling coffee, tea, pastries, and fruit juices are among the activities permitted under the Cafeteria License in Dubai.
• Pastries, brownies, cakes, pasta, noodles, hotdogs, sandwiches, and other goods that are either instantly prepared on-site or prepared for consumption within a few days.
• Chocolates, candies, biscuits, chips, and beverages such as soda and soft drinks are all pre-packaged goods.

Even if the license permits you to sell almost anything in the cafeteria, it's a good idea to double-check the rules and regulations before adding things to the menu.

How will Dhanguard Assist you?

Furthermore, starting a business in Dubai is often thought to be a quick and easy process. As a new business owner, you may be aware that launching a business in Dubai is a streamlined and complex procedure that necessitates obtaining licenses, permissions, and approvals from governmental authorities prior to commencing operations.

Contact us for hassle-free business licenses, licenses, and permissions from various government ministries and organisations. While you focus on growing your business, our skilled business setup team in Dubai can assist you with obtaining all of the necessary permits to open a café in Dubai.

Cafeterias are a difficult business to start because there is so much competition, but with the correct amount of preparation and execution, creating and running a cafeteria in Dubai can be a highly profitable endeavour. There are a lot of investors interested in this sector, so if you've always wanted to open a cafeteria, now might be the time. Please contact us if you need any assistance or advice on launching a cafeteria business in Dubai.