Premises and people
Restaurant & Food Business Licensing in Singapore
A Singapore food licence attaches to premises and requires trained people. Both need planning before you sign a lease.
GCC business setup specialists
Premises first, then people
The food shop licence is assessed on the premises — layout, ventilation, grease management and pest control — and also requires appointed food hygiene personnel and trained handlers. Signing a lease before the site is assessed is the expensive mistake.
- Site assessed against licensing requirements before you sign
- Food hygiene officer and handler training planned
- Halal and other certifications flagged where relevant
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What is assessed
The requirements behind a food licence
Premises and people, assessed together.
| Area | What it assesses |
|---|---|
| Food shop licence | The premises and the food activity carried on there. |
| Premises layout | Kitchen design, workflow and separation. |
| Ventilation and grease | Extraction and grease management. |
| Food hygiene personnel | Appointed and trained individuals. |
| Food handler training | Required for staff handling food. |
| Additional certification | Halal and similar, where you choose or need it. |
Food licensing requirements, training obligations and premises standards are set by the Singapore authorities and change, and are enforced by inspection.
How it works
From site to opening
The site assessment saves the most money.
01
Assess the site
The premises assessed against licensing requirements before you commit, including ventilation, grease and layout.
02
Apply and prepare people
Licence application lodged, food hygiene personnel appointed and handler training arranged.
03
Inspection and licence
Inspection passed, licence issued and any additional certification pursued.
Site and operation
What a food business must cover
Premises and personnel both gate the licence.
- Business profile and UEN
- Tenancy agreement for the premises
- Floor plans and layout drawings
- Ventilation and grease management design
- Pest control arrangements
- Appointed food hygiene personnel
- Food handler training records
- Waste disposal arrangements
- Equipment specifications
- Halal or other certification if required
- Liquor licence if alcohol is served
- Insurance cover
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Site assessment against licensing requirements
- Licence category recommendation
- Food shop licence application
- Guidance on food hygiene personnel requirements
- Guidance on handler training
- Co-ordination of inspections
- Advice on additional certification routes
- Renewal calendar set
Not included, quoted separately
- Agency and licence fees, paid at cost
- Tenancy, rent and service charges
- Kitchen fit-out, ventilation and equipment
- Grease and drainage works
- Training course fees
- Pest control contracts
- Halal certification fees
- Liquor licence application, quoted separately
Verify independently
Official Singapore authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA)Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS)Ministry of ManpowerCentral Provident Fund BoardSingapore CustomsSingapore Food Agency
Questions
Singapore food licensing — FAQs
Can I sign a lease before the licence?
You need premises to licence, but have the site assessed first. Ventilation and grease management are the usual stumbling blocks.
Do I need trained staff?
Yes. Food hygiene personnel must be appointed and handlers trained. It has a lead time, so it is planned alongside the premises.
Is halal certification required?
Not legally, but it is commercially significant for many operators. It is a separate application with its own requirements.
What about selling alcohol?
A separate liquor licence applies, with its own application and conditions, planned alongside the food licence.
How long does it take?
Driven by fit-out and inspection rather than paperwork. The site assessment is what makes the rest predictable.
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