A Step by Step Guide to start a Restaurant Business in Dubai

Getting your dream restaurant business into the real world is a challenging project, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. The basic question that will come to your mind is where to start?

There are a lot of things to consider including variables and the type and size of restaurant you want to open.

Here we will guide you through a step by step process on how to start a restaurant business? and we are not going to discuss about creating a business plan.

We recommend you follow through the step-by-step process so that you can avoid any last-minute surprises.

The process is simple and as follows

Commercial license for your restaurant
Leasing of space
Kitchen equipment
Appointing a designer
Restaurant layout
Permits from authorities
Fit-out and decorations
Furniture
Staffs
Marketing and promotions
Restaurant opening

Commercial license for your restaurant

Just google for business setup or approach any economic department branch in Dubai. They will assist you with getting all the procedures done at a nominal cost and you can obtain the commercial license for your business from the Dubai economy and tourism department within 10 days.

The next step is to get a Food license from the food safety department and we will discuss about this in detail in the following steps.

If you are planning to open a restaurant in other emirates, you have to check with the respective authorities.

Leasing

Once your license is in the process head out to hunt for the space based on the type and size of restaurant you want to open.

Please check for the following points before finalizing your restaurant location

because the location is crucial to its success.

Here are a few tips

Do proper market research and understand the demography
Choose a location where there is enough footfall
Size of the restaurant
Access and parking
Power availability in KW
Extract duct location. How far?
Location for LPG tank
Separate entry exit for kitchen
What are the amenities provided by the landlord?
Space availability for outdoor seating
Evaluate competitors
What other criteria that drive customers to your restaurant

Kitchen equipment

The next step is to finalise the menu because the kitchen equipment will be selected based on what type of menu you are going to serve

Finalise all the kitchen equipment and layout with your chef and kitchen equipment supplier

Allocate 40% of the space for kitchen and storage

Decide on the flow of activities right from raw material receiving area, Cold storage, dry store, vegetable and meat, fish cleaning, hand wash, preparation area, cooking, dishwashing area, grease trap, distribution, packing, and delivery.

Designing proper flow will allow you to serve your customers quickly and you can save a ton of time.

Once the flow is decided, finalize the kitchen equipment based on the type and capacity. It is highly recommended to maximize the usage of LPG compared to electrically operated equipment.

Get the layout prepared by the professional kitchen equipment supplier with the exact dimensions of the equipment, not approximate sizes that are to include the power requirement for each piece of equipment and heat dissipation values.

You have to keep the cost in mind for the kitchen hood, fresh air fan, and exhaust equipment based on the type of menu you are cooking.

For example, if you have a charcoal tandoor in your kitchen equipment list consider the cost of a hot wash continuous cold water mist kitchen hood, fire suppression system, treated fresh air supply, ESP/ecology unit, and fire-rated extract ducts. These are authority requirements.

Designer and fit-out Contractor appointment

Appoint a restaurant designer who is well versed in all the details not only color, theme, and furniture selection, but also has a sound knowledge about furniture layout, can utilize the space wisely, understands the kitchen requirements, electromechanical works, authority approvals, and inspections. Because if any one area goes wrong, you will not be able to open the restaurant on time as planned.

If you need further assistance, we can help you with the full turnkey interior fit-out services or part of services like Authority Approvals. click here to get in touch with us

Restaurant layout

When you are preparing the restaurant layout, ensure that the flow coordinates with each element. Please consider the following elements.

The flow of utilities and information such as Order information, POS, electricity, water, and exhaust.
The flow of goods - Raw materials deliveries from vendors and supply deliveries
The people flow - Your customers, vendors and staff

The restaurant floor plan should have the space allocated for each operational area such as Entry-exit for incoming goods and food delivery, Kitchen, Indoor Dining, outdoor dining, Entry and waiting area for customers, a POS counter, Restrooms, and a back office if your restaurant is big.

While laying out the space, consider the location of utilities like control panels of electromechanical services, interior decoration elements, zoning restrictions, and landlord requirements if any.

Statutory Permits

Obtaining statutory permits is mandatory before starting your restaurant construction works even if it is a modification/ renovations or alterations.

Lets discuss the restaurant located in Dubai based on the statutory requirements

An experienced designer or decoration contractor will take care of the government regulations and requirements and they will incorporate them into the drawings and layout. We advise you to go with an experienced contractor.

Once the layouts are prepared and finalized it is advised to stick to them till the end because if you modify the kitchen equipment layout and furniture layout till the last moment, it will be difficult for you to get the completion certificate from the authorities.

For a restaurant in Dubai, the rules and regulations of one authority differ from the other. In simple words, the process, rules, and flow may not be the same if your restaurant is situated in the mainland and Dubai development authority.

The process is as follows for instance your restaurant falls under the control of Dubai Municipality.

Step 1 - To Obtain a Food license from the Food Safety Department.

Step 2 - To submit necessary drawings and get approvals from Dubai Civil Defence which includes LPG submission as well.

Step 3 - To submit necessary drawings to Dubai Municipality including mechanical ventilation drawings.

Step 4 - Submit necessary drawings to Dubai electricity and water authority in case you are the first tenant on that premises or requesting additional power load. If you are not the first tenant just paying deposits and name transfer is enough.

All the above submissions require final inspection and getting the completion certificates from the respective authorities. Operating the restaurant without a fit-to-occupy certificate will result in paying penalties and closure.

Normally the cost associated with the above coordination process are charged by the contractors separately and there will be nominal government fees that has to be paid by the restaurant owner.

Fit-out and Decorations

Once your contractor has obtained the fit-out permit from the municipality, you are good to start the construction work as per the authority approved drawings.

Furniture

the furniture selection is totally under your control.

You can have a standard table and chairs banquet seating or high-end designer furniture based on your requirements.

Staffs

Allocate some funds for the staff recruitment, training, uniforms, accommodation rent, transport, and other protocols as per government regulations.

You can approach any business to set up offices and they can help you with the PRO services and the cost associated with it.

Marketing and promotion

You have to allocate a budget for business promotion expenses such as digital marketing, printing the menu, flyers, food delivery aggregators, advertisements, signages, etc.

Working capital

You know your business better so keep a runway for a minimum of 3 months of operations that includes rentals, staff wages, utility expenses, etc.

We will leave it to your discretion to calculate the working capital cost.

If you need further assistance, we can help you with the design drawings, authority approvals, and complete turnkey interior fit-out services for your restaurant. Click here to get in touch with us.

contact@spacedecointeriors.com

or Call and ask for Siva at 058 576 1379 for free advice.

DISCLAIMER: This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal, accounting, tax, HR, or any other professional advice. You are responsible for your compliance with laws and regulations. You should contact your subject matter expertise or other relevant advisor for advice specific to your circumstances.