Hong Kong is home to one of the most vibrant and diverse restaurant scenes in the world. This is unsurprising as many residents have developed a taste for diverse foods from around the world. Hong Kong’s restaurants can be separated into five broad categories: Chinese food, non-Chinese food, fast food, bars, and other establishments.
And one of the world’s leading locations for restaurant patrons. It has one of the highest restaurant densities globally, with about one restaurant for every 600 residents.
The revenue of Hong Kong’s restaurant industry which was driven by restaurant food and beverage purchases has been increasing over recent years. This shows that Hong Kong’s restaurant industry is currently enjoying very positive circumstances. Hong Kong’s restaurants are expected to continue along the path of financial growth in the coming years.
Restaurant operators have been taking advantage of the current favourable economic climate to expand to strategic locations while at the same time updating menu options for Hong Kong’s eager consumers who are interested in an increased variety of cuisines.
Promoting Healthy and Sustainable Menu Options in Hong Kong Restaurants
Restaurant owners have also been gradually increasing the number of healthy and nutritious options in their restaurants. The efforts of the Hong Kong government in promoting the “Eat Smart” campaign have served to encourage restaurant owners to take into consideration nutritional aspects when developing their menus.
Today, most consumers are more aware of the origins of their food and the type of impact it will have on the environment. There have been an increased number of discussions on sustainability as it relates to food in the media and by government officials.
Therefore, several organizations have been assisting restaurant owners in Hong Kong to make their menus more environmentally friendly. For example, the World Wildlife Fund has provided some restaurants in Hong Kong with a sustainable seafood guide. It has published a list of environmentally friendly hotels, restaurants, and clubs in Hong Kong.
Licensing Requirements for Restaurant Setup in Hong Kong
Several licensing requirements must be followed before setting up a restaurant or food and beverage establishment in Hong Kong.
To open a restaurant where food and drinks are sold, a prospective owner is required to obtain a General Restaurant License from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).
Additionally, anyone who plans to set up a restaurant in Hong Kong may require other licenses if they intend to sell liquor on the premises, reserve a part of the restaurant’s area for alfresco dining, prepare bakery products, or do anything else for which a specific license is required.
Other than the General Restaurant License, some of the licenses and permits which are required are the Liquor License, Import License, Bakery License, Food Factory License, Karaoke Establishment Permit, Non-bottled Drinks Permit, Restricted Food Permit, Permit to Sell Food using Vending Machine, and the Permission for Outside Seating Accommodation. Owning any of these licenses or permits allows the restaurant owner to conduct the associated activities on the restaurant premises.
Process of Setting Up a Restaurant in Hong Kong
The first step in the process of setting up a restaurant in Hong Kong is that of company incorporation. Everyone must obtain a Certificate of Incorporation from the Hong Kong Companies Registry to proceed. After incorporating the company, the restaurant owner must select a suitable location for the premises.
This location is to be chosen before an application for the General Restaurant License is to be made. However, not all premises may be selected for restaurant operations. Only premises meeting the Buildings Department’s safety, the Fire Services Department’s safety, and FEHD’s health requirements may be used.
To apply for the General Restaurant License, the owner must first submit several important documents to the FEHD.
Process for Obtaining a General Restaurant License in Hong Kong
Most Hong Kong restaurant operators must obtain a General Restaurant License from the FEHD before starting business operations.
These include a General Restaurant License application; three certified true copies of the scaled metric layout plan of the premises which display the entire interior layout of every portion of the restaurant as well as proof that the FEHD’s minimum statutory requirements are being followed; certified true copies of the Business Registration Certificate, Certificate of Incorporation, and Articles of Association of the company; a certified true copy of the company’s most recent annual returns; a copy of the Board Resolution which will be used to confirm the appointment of an authorized person who will represent the company during the application for the license; and a certified true copy of the stamped tenancy agreement or record of ownership of the premises to be used for the restaurant.
Moreover, after receiving the application, the FEHD will send it and the layout plan to the Buildings and Fire Services Departments for approval. The FEHD will conduct a preliminary screening of the layout plan to ensure it meets all its requirements before further processing.
Post-Application Process and Final Steps for Obtaining a General Restaurant License
Applicants will be informed of the outcome within 10 working days. After this step has been completed, the FEHD, Fire Services Department, and Buildings Department will conduct separate site inspections to determine if the proposed premises for the restaurant are suitable for use.
Within 10 days after site inspections, an Application Vetting Panel meeting with department officers and the applicant will be held.
Areas deemed to be problematic or faulty, proposals for remedial works, and the applicant’s proposed construction and decoration programs are discussed during the meeting. After the meeting, the Buildings Department and Fire Services Department will provide the FEHD with feedback. The FEHD will subsequently send a letter of licensing requirements to the applicant based on the feedback. Within six months, the applicant must meet all criteria from the licensing requirements letter and report compliance to the FEHD.
Within 10 days of receiving the compliance report, the FEHD will re-verify the premises. If the FEHD finds the premises suitable, it will issue the General Restaurant License after the applicant pays the fee. The payment is to be made within seven days of the final verification. If all additional licenses required have been obtained, the business operations of the restaurant may begin.
FAQs
Anyone who plans to set up a restaurant in Hong Kong must comply with the business registration and licensing criteria, especially those related to the food sector. This is true of locals and foreigners alike. Therefore, it can be concluded that foreigners who open a restaurant in Hong Kong are not subject to additional regulations pertaining to the process of setting up a restaurant there.
Restaurant owners in Hong Kong face many challenges. Some of these are internal challenges while others are external challenges. Among these challenges include monetary difficulties, lack of labor, and high levels of competition. These have imposed certain burdens on those who run restaurants in Hong Kong; however, those who run their restaurant in the optimal manner will understand that there will always be suitable solutions to address any problems faced.
Those who plan to sell self-made food in Hong Kong will usually need a license to do so. The type of license to be used depends on the location in which the food is to be consumed, whether on the premises or off them.
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