Restaurant Licence Checklist in India: Every Registration Explained

Restaurant licence checklist at a glance

1. FSSAI registration or licence

Every restaurant, café, takeaway, caterer and cloud kitchen must hold the correct FSSAI approval. The category normally depends on turnover and business activity. Apply only through the official FoSCoS portal. Our complete FSSAI licence guide explains the current thresholds, fees and documents.

2. Municipal trade or health permission

Local bodies may require a trade licence, health trade licence or similar permission. The exact name, documents, inspection and renewal cycle differ by city. Confirm permitted land use, drainage, waste, kitchen exhaust, seating, sanitation and operating hours before committing to the property.

3. Shops and Establishments registration

State Shops and Establishments laws regulate areas such as opening hours, weekly holidays, employment records and workplace conditions. Registration procedures and deadlines vary by state. Keep employee attendance, wages, leave and appointment records aligned with local requirements.

4. GST registration

Whether registration is required depends on turnover, business structure, supplies and current GST rules. Use the official GST portal and obtain professional advice for your situation. Restaurant-service rates and input-tax-credit treatment can differ from ordinary retail supplies.

5. Fire and building compliance

Fire requirements can cover exits, occupancy, extinguishers, alarms, electrical loads, LPG banks, ducting and emergency signage. Do not assume that a landlord’s building approval automatically covers your restaurant layout. Obtain written guidance from the relevant fire authority before fit-out.

Concept-specific permissions

• Liquor licence: mandatory before selling alcohol; rules, availability and cost vary sharply by state.
• Music licences: public performance of copyrighted music may require permissions from relevant rights organisations.
• Signage approval: external, illuminated or roadside signs may need municipal consent.
• Pollution and waste: consent, grease-trap, emissions or waste-management requirements can apply.
• Weights and measures: relevant when using regulated weighing instruments or selling packaged commodities.
• Equipment approvals: lifts, boilers, LPG, generators and electrical systems may require specialist inspection.

Check the premises before signing a lease

1. Confirm that restaurant use is permitted at the address.
2. Check exhaust routes, fire exits, LPG location, drainage, grease traps and electrical capacity.
3. Ask the local body for a written approval checklist for that concept and address.
4. Make the lease conditional on critical permissions where possible.
5. Budget for drawings, consultants, deposits, testing and compliance construction.

A cheap property can become extremely expensive when an exhaust duct cannot be approved or a second fire exit is impossible.

Recommended opening sequence

1. Select the business structure and arrange PAN, banking and constitution documents.
2. Secure compliant premises and prepare layout drawings.
3. Apply for FSSAI and local trade permission.
4. Complete Shops and Establishments, fire and GST processes as applicable.
5. Finish concept-specific approvals before the activity begins.
6. Create a licence register listing owner, certificate number, expiry date and renewal reminder.

Use our FSSAI inspection checklist to prepare operating records after approval.

Important limitation

There is no single national licence pack that covers every Indian restaurant. FSSAI approval does not automatically authorise the building, alcohol, music, signage, employment or tax position. Obtain location-specific written advice from each competent authority and use a qualified local professional for high-risk approvals.