Starting a Restaurant or Cloud Kitchen in Bangalore: Licenses You Need
The success of any food business—especially restaurants—largely depends on offering good food at a reasonable cost, supported by an efficient team. However, beyond the culinary aspect, one crucial factor is ensuring your business is compliant with the law. Let’s discuss what license are required to start a restaurant business or a cloud kitchen in Bangalore.
Licenses Required to Start a Restaurant Business in Bangalore
To operate a restaurant or cloud kitchen in Bangalore, you must obtain the following licenses and registrations:
- BBMP Trade License
Required if your restaurant is located on a road that is 30 feet wide or more. Issued by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). - FSSAI License
Mandatory for all food business operators. There are three types:- Basic Registration – For turnover up to ₹12 lakhs/year (ideal for home bakers, tiffin centers, small cloud kitchens).
- State License – For turnover between ₹12 lakhs to ₹2 crores (ideal for family restaurants, caterers, mid-sized cloud kitchens).
- Central License – For turnover above ₹2 crores (required by large chains, big cloud kitchens, and multi-location restaurants).
- GST Registration
Required if your annual turnover exceeds ₹20 lakhs. It is also mandatory if you’re involved in specific food categories like desserts, regardless of turnover. - Shops and Establishment License / Labour License
Required if you have employees. It registers your establishment with the state labour department. - Fire NOC (No Objection Certificate)
Essential for restaurants, especially those with cooking equipment and customer seating areas. - Professional Tax (PT) Registration
Required if you are registered under GST.
On average, it takes 2 to 3 business days to obtain these licenses from the respective departments in Bangalore, assuming documentation is in order.
Things to Keep in Mind
Although these are the basic license are required to start a restaurant business, the fees and specific category of license may vary based on:
- Number of employees
- Size (sq. ft.) of your premises
- Whether your restaurant is air-conditioned or not
- Your annual turnover
Since each license comes with its own conditions and fee structures, it’s highly recommended to consult with a professional before proceeding.
Starting as an Individual or a Company
If you’re planning to start the business in your individual capacity, you don’t need a separate PAN card—you can use your personal one. However, if you’re setting up a Partnership Firm, LLP, or Private Limited Company, you’ll need:
- A separate PAN card for the business
- Partnership Deed or Incorporation Certificate
- Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA & AOA)
- Authorization Letter (for licenses like GST, FSSAI, and Shops & Establishment)
By ensuring all necessary license are required to start a restaurant business are in place, you set a strong foundation for smooth operations and future growth. Whether you’re opening a cozy café, a fine dining restaurant, or a delivery-only cloud kitchen, compliance is key.