FSSAI, liquor, fire, GST

Category: Industry Packages. From ₹19,999. Typical timeline: 21–30 days.

Overview

The Restaurant Package bundles FSSAI licensing, local trade licence, fire NOC and (where applicable) liquor licensing into one engagement, so a new restaurant or cloud kitchen can open to the public with every required approval in hand rather than discovering a gap on inspection day.

Who needs it

• New restaurants and cloud kitchens preparing to open
• Existing food businesses expanding to a new outlet
• Establishments planning to serve alcohol alongside food
• Cloud-kitchen operators who assume delivery-only means fewer licences are needed (it doesn’t)

Eligibility

• Commercial food-service premises (restaurant, cloud kitchen, cafe or bar)
• FSSAI Central licence above ₹20 crore turnover or for import/export; State licence otherwise
• Premises meeting fire-safety norms before the fire NOC can be issued
• A state excise department licence if alcohol will be served

Documents required

• Premises lease/ownership proof and layout plan
• Identity and address proof of the proprietor/partners/directors
• Fire-safety compliance documents for the premises
• Food-category and menu details (for FSSAI applicability)
• Excise licence application documents, if serving alcohol

Process

1. Finalise premises & fire safety — Ensure the layout meets fire-safety norms before applying for the fire NOC.
2. Apply for FSSAI and trade licence — File both in parallel — FSSAI processing typically takes 7-15 days.
3. Apply for liquor licence, if serving alcohol — A separate, longer-running state excise application, best started early.
4. Register for GST — Mandatory once turnover crosses the threshold, or optionally earlier to claim input tax credit.

Government fees

• FSSAI State/Central Licence: ₹2,000–₹7,500 per year, slab-based on turnover
• Trade licence (municipal): Varies by municipality, typically ₹1,000–₹10,000
• Fire NOC: State-specific, typically ₹500–₹5,000
• Liquor licence (if applicable): Significant state excise fee — quoted separately once your state and category are confirmed

Professional fee

₹19,999 professional fee for the full bundle (FSSAI + trade licence + fire NOC coordination, excluding liquor licensing which is quoted separately given its scale), in addition to government fees shown above.

Timeline

21–30 working days for FSSAI, trade licence and fire NOC; liquor licensing (if applicable) typically runs longer and is tracked as a separate milestone.

Deliverables

• FSSAI licence certificate
• Municipal trade licence
• Fire NOC
• GST registration certificate (if opted in)
• Liquor licence application status update (if applicable)

Frequently asked questions

Do cloud kitchens need the same licences as a dine-in restaurant?

Yes — FSSAI, trade licence and fire NOC all apply regardless of whether you serve dine-in customers or operate delivery-only.

How long does the liquor licence take compared to the rest of the bundle?

Liquor licensing is a separate state excise process that typically runs longer than FSSAI/trade licence/fire NOC, so we recommend starting it as early as possible.

Do I need GST registration to open a restaurant?

Only mandatory once your turnover crosses the GST threshold, though registering earlier lets you claim input tax credit on your setup costs.

Common mistakes

• Signing a lease before confirming the premises can meet fire-safety norms for a fire NOC
• Assuming a cloud kitchen doesn’t need FSSAI or trade licence because there’s no dine-in seating
• Starting the liquor licence application late, delaying the overall opening date
• Opening to the public before the fire NOC is actually issued, not just applied for

Penalties for non-compliance

• Operating without FSSAI: fines up to ₹5 lakh depending on the violation, and potential closure
• Operating without a valid trade licence: municipal penalties and potential sealing of premises
• Serving alcohol without a valid liquor licence: seizure and prosecution under state excise law

Legal references

• Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and FSSAI Licensing Regulations
• Applicable state Shops & Establishments Act and municipal trade-licence bye-laws
• State Excise Act and Rules (for liquor licensing)