The restaurant sector is expanding all around the world. Despite global economic swings, nothing appears to diminish our desire to eat out. According to recent estimates, the global food service sector is worth approximately USD 3 trillion. And there are no signs of it stopping down. The tendency is similar in the United Arab Emirates. The restaurant market in the United Arab Emirates is expected to be worth USD 3.3 billion. Fast food restaurants account for over USD 1.5 billion, followed by casual dining at USD 880 million and fine dining at USD 840 million. However, a big market isn't the only reason why the UAE's restaurant sector is so appealing. We dine out 6.75 times a week on average in the UAE, which is more than the US average of 4.2 times. If you want to build a restaurant or a cafeteria in Dubai, now is an excellent moment to do so.

Restaurant Formation in Dubai

The creation procedure is basically the same whether you want to create a restaurant or a cafeteria in Dubai. You'll need two different licences. The first is a business permit. The Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) or a free zone can be used to apply for this. Then you must have the food control department approve your restaurant plans. After you've finished this step, you'll be able to apply for your food license. The Dubai Municipality Food Safety Department has released this statement. You must include a copy of your trade license as well as a restaurant floor plan that includes all entrances and exits, food processing spaces, food storage areas, all windows and ventilation, all food processing equipment, and all washing equipment as part of your application. The ‘Food Code' must be followed in order for your license to stay valid. This is similar to food safety regulations in many other large nations, and it entails fulfilling specific standards for food preparation, production, and cleanliness. The regulation includes everything from food preparation and storage to ventilation and cleaning facilities, among other things. Any institution that prepares or serves food, such as restaurants, cafeterias, motels, and supermarkets, is subject to the regulation.

The Application Process

While there are some extra steps to applying for a food license, the procedure for applying for a commerce license is quite straightforward. You must first define your company operations before submitting your initial application. Will you be running a café, a restaurant, a culinary kitchen, or anything similar? You should also specify the sort of cuisine you want to sell, as well as how you want to sell it: eat-in, take-out, or delivery. To minimize delays in your license application, it's critical that you include these data. You must also avoid engaging in any trading activity that is not specified on your license. Working with a company setup specialist at this point is a fantastic option because this is such a precise element of the application procedure. Now that you've settled on your trade activity, it's time to pick a firm name. There are a few additional criteria to consider in the UAE that may not apply in other parts of the world. For starters, your company name can only contain your whole name if it is utilised in its entirety. Instead of J Smith Foods or Smith Foods, John Smith Foods is used. The rest is pretty self-evident. You cannot, for example, use the name of an actual organisation like NASA or MI5, and your firm name should not contain any derogatory or blasphemous words. Finally, make sure that the name you want to use is accessible for registration. This is another phase where a business creation professional may assist you. It's now time to submit your application for a trade licence. If you want to open a business on the Dubai mainland, you must first apply to the Dubai Economic Department (DED). You can apply directly to the relevant management authority for free zone installations. In both situations, you should include the following documentation as a bare minimum:

• Finished application form
• A passport copy of the potential owner or owners
• Two passport size photos in colour.