Do I need an FSSAI licence before I open?

Yes. A food business needs FSSAI registration or a licence before it starts. Which one you need depends on the size and kind of your business, so check on the FoSCoS portal.

Is GST registration compulsory for a new restaurant?

It depends on your turnover and your state, and in some situations registration is compulsory whatever the turnover. Ask your CA, or check on the GST portal, before you decide.

How long do the approvals take?

It varies by city and by department, and some approvals depend on others. Start early and ask each office for its timeline instead of relying on figures from the internet.

Can I open before every approval comes through?

You should not serve customers until the approvals your area requires are in hand. Operating without them can lead to penalties or closure.

How much does it cost to get all the licences?

Fees differ by state, city and size of the restaurant, and they change. Ask each issuing office for its current fee, and add a margin in your budget for consultants and re-applications.

Do I need billing software before opening?

You need a way to issue numbered GST bills from day one. Choose the system before you print menus and install printers, because it decides which devices you need.

Checklist: opening a restaurant in India (licences, GST, set-up and software)

By HostAir · Last updated 16 October 2026

Short answer

Before opening a restaurant in India you need food-safety (FSSAI) approval, GST registration if your turnover or situation requires it, local registrations such as shop and establishment and a municipal licence, and fire clearance where it applies. Then set up your menu, kitchen, billing and staff.

Which licences and registrations does a restaurant need?

Requirements depend on your state, your city or town, the size of the restaurant and what you serve. The list below is the usual set. Thresholds, fees and processing times change, so this guide gives none: confirm each item with the issuing authority before you rely on it.

The usual set, and who issues each
Licence or registration	Who issues it	When it applies
FSSAI food-safety registration or licence	Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, through the FoSCoS portal	Every food business, before it starts. Registration or licence, and which type, depends on the size and kind of business
GST registration	GST portal (central and state tax authorities)	When your turnover crosses the limit for your state, or in other cases the law makes registration compulsory
Shop and establishment registration	State labour department	Commercial establishments in most states
Trade or health licence	Your municipal corporation or local body	Usually before you start serving; ask which departments must sign off
Fire safety clearance	Local fire department	Depends on your state’s rules and the size and seating of the premises
Excise licence	State excise department	Only if you will serve alcohol

Source: FSSAI FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) portal (as of 16 October 2026)

In what order should I apply?

Confirm the business structure you will trade under (proprietorship, partnership or company) and open a current account in its name.
Find out from your municipal office which approvals your premises need, and in which order they must be done.
Apply for FSSAI registration or licence early, because several other approvals ask for it.
Register for GST if your turnover or situation requires it, and note your GSTIN for your bills.
Complete the shop and establishment, trade or health licence and fire clearance, as your area requires.
Do not set an opening date until the approvals you need are in hand.

Source: GST portal: registration (as of 16 October 2026)

What should I check about the premises and kitchen?

The lease or ownership papers, and that the use of the premises is allowed for a restaurant.
Gas, water, electricity load and drainage suited to the equipment you plan to install.
Ventilation and exhaust for the cooking area, and a layout that keeps raw and cooked food apart.
Hand-washing points, pest control, covered waste bins and a clean storage area.
Cold storage sized for your menu, with a thermometer you actually check.
Fire extinguishers placed and serviced, and exits that are clear.
Your FSSAI licence or registration displayed where customers can see it.

What should I settle before the menu is printed?

Cost every dish: ingredients per plate, at today’s supplier prices, against the selling price before GST.
Decide whether menu prices include GST, and print that clearly on the menu.
Fix portion sizes and write each recipe down, so the cost you worked out is the cost you actually serve.
Choose two or three suppliers for your main items and agree the rates and delivery times.
Set up the units you will use for each ingredient (kg, litre, piece), so purchases, recipes and stock counts agree.

Recipe costing sheetList a dish’s ingredients and prices and get the plate cost, food cost % and profit per plate. Includes a worked paneer butter masala example and a blank sheet.Excel (.xlsx)CSV (.csv)

What systems do I need on day one?

Billing that produces a GST bill from the order, with your GSTIN, a numbered series and a record of every discount and cancellation.
Kitchen order tickets (KOT) printed or shown in the kitchen, so the cook never works from a verbal order.
A way to take orders at the table if you are dine-in, such as a captain app on a phone.
Stock records that start from a physical count on the day before you open.
A day-end report that you read every night during the first month.
Printers, a stable internet connection and a power backup for the billing counter.

How do I get my staff ready?

Write down who does what for each shift: captain, cook, counter, cashier and cleaner.
Do a full dry run before opening, with real orders from a test menu, from table to kitchen to bill.
Decide who may give discounts, cancel an item or refund a bill, and give only those people the permission.
Explain how to handle a wrong order, a complaint and a customer who disputes the bill.
Hand over a single contact for problems on the day, whether that is the owner, the manager or your software support.

What should the opening week look like?

Open with a soft launch for friends and family, and note every delay between order and plate.
Check the first day’s bills against the orders, the cash in the drawer and the day-end report.
Count your top ingredients at the end of the first week and compare with what your recipes say you used.
Fix the dishes that take too long, run out first or never sell, before you spend on promotion.
Note every supplier delivery that was late, short or at a different rate.

Where HostAir fits

HostAir covers the billing, KOT, captain app, inventory and reports side of this checklist in one system. There is no setup fee, we load your menu, and in Jodhpur, Jaipur and Udaipur our team is at your outlet on go-live day. 24×7 support on WhatsApp, phone and email.

The licences and registrations above are separate from any software, and you apply for them with the authorities yourself.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an FSSAI licence before I open?: Yes. A food business needs FSSAI registration or a licence before it starts. Which one you need depends on the size and kind of your business, so check on the FoSCoS portal.
Is GST registration compulsory for a new restaurant?: It depends on your turnover and your state, and in some situations registration is compulsory whatever the turnover. Ask your CA, or check on the GST portal, before you decide.
How long do the approvals take?: It varies by city and by department, and some approvals depend on others. Start early and ask each office for its timeline instead of relying on figures from the internet.
Can I open before every approval comes through?: You should not serve customers until the approvals your area requires are in hand. Operating without them can lead to penalties or closure.
How much does it cost to get all the licences?: Fees differ by state, city and size of the restaurant, and they change. Ask each issuing office for its current fee, and add a margin in your budget for consultants and re-applications.
Do I need billing software before opening?: You need a way to issue numbered GST bills from day one. Choose the system before you print menus and install printers, because it decides which devices you need.