How to Start a Successful Restaurant Business in the UAE

The UAE has been one of the few places in the world which has fared well even in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The country has been a bustling economy for decades and is an evergreen venture for entrepreneurs and businesspersons of all cachet. The UAE has been incessantly catching the eye of the major business corporations around the world, enabling it to gain the spotlight as one of the most flourishing economies of the world.

Many giant corporations like Adidas, Nike, Microsoft, etc. have made UAE their home. This, in turn, has roused the attention of other developing corporations and attracted millions of people from around the globe. Business sectors such as real estate and oil industries are rife with activity throughout the year and are one of the most lucrative sectors in the industry.

The restaurant industry is no stranger to the fast-paced economic development that is prevalent in the Emirates today. Statistics from Euromonitor have it that Dubai will accommodate a massive 19,000 of restaurant and fast food joints by 2020. Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food exhibition, is slated to make yet another appearance in late February, 2021; this will tremendously boost Dubai’s reputation among the big shots of multi-million-dollar companies worldwide.

Why Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the Ideal Places for Restaurant Business

• The UAE has shown growth in the tourism sector of cyclopean degrees. The statistics speak for themselves.
• The UAE government has held a proactive involvement with the entrepreneurs and small-scale industries in boosting the GDP.
• UAE is home to a vast medley of people, many of which are from different cultural backgrounds. This sets the stage for setting up a restaurant business with an assortment of cuisines.
• With food fests — such as Gulfood — hosting in Dubai, UAE promises an evergreen business landscape for entrepreneurs wanting to set up a business.

However, one cannot setup new business in Dubai right off the bat, for there are some prerequisites one must take care of. Read on to find what you need for a Dubai business setup in the restaurant sector.

Procure a Food and Trade License

It is common knowledge that one must be in the possession of some sort of permit for setting up a business in Dubai. For example, if you are looking for a new company formation in Dubai on platforms like Social Media, then an E-Trader’s License is mandatory. Likewise, you would need a Food License from the Food and Safety Department. There also are some special food permits you must be aware of: pork permit, food delivery permit, Ramadhan permit, etc.

Procuring the license to open a restaurant in Dubai has been described as a tedious and encumbering process. Nonetheless, it is one of the most vital elements in the process because if this step is circumvented, one will be subjected to huge penalties. Hence, to set up business in Dubai free zone and keep it afloat, one must be cognizant of the permits and licenses they must be in possession of. The rules and regulations for setting up a vary from region to region, which is why one must consult a specialist in the field. Starting a business in Dubai can be a cinch with the help of experts who offer pro services in Dubai.

Crosslink International has managed the top business setup consultants in Dubai for quite some time now. Their experts specialize in setting up businesses in any of the Emirates and will assist you at every step of starting your restaurant business.

Select a Location

The location is one other crucial factor when setting up your business as it has the power to make or break your business. Even the biggest food joint can suffer a downfall as a result of poor business location. An emirate like Dubai has many demarcated business zones: Education city, Media City, Tourist zones, etc. Popular tourist zones, such as the Burj Khalifa or the Jumeirah Beach Walk are the biggest hot spots for restaurant business. But one must choose the location in accordance to their budget and cuisine type, because the target audience is the biggest factor in deciding the success of a restaurant chain.

Adumbrate Your Business Plan

A good business plan will encapsulate the below aspects:

• A clear roadmap is imperative in setting up a business.
• Prepare for a contingency plan to execute in unforeseen events (like how the Dubai Govt. has handled the COVID-19 pandemic)
• Ensure that every buck you spend brings bigger returns.

Decide the Business Structure

A lot of people opt for a free zone business structure as it is cost-effective. But one of the biggest trade-offs is that the restaurant needs to have a brick-and-mortar outlet in that free zone. However, this would affect the popularity of the restaurant significantly and the location factor would be annulled. The other option is choosing to be a Limited Liability Company (LLC), which enables you in setting up your restaurant anywhere within the emirates. You can learn more differences between a free zone and LLC here.

Where do I start?

You can start off by getting your paperwork in order. This important step requires expertise and due diligence, which is why many solopreneurs seek the help of business setup experts. A top business setup company like Crosslink International can help you set up your restaurant in the most seamless way. They will cater to all services that entail company formation in any of the Emirates. They have a very low service charge — of AED 1 — and a small time-frame (of 24 hours) of setting up your company. You can ask for a free consultation or call them at +971 4 321 6631 / +971 55 744 6445.