Hong Kong Food Business Licence Types: Restaurant, Factory Canteen and More

Food Business Licence Categories in Hong Kong

Operating a food business in Hong Kong requires a licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD). This is a separate requirement from the Business Registration Certificate issued by the Inland Revenue Department. Business registration is not a trade licence and does not authorise regulated activity.

Choosing the correct FEHD licence category is critical. The four main licence categories are the general restaurant licence, the light refreshment restaurant licence, the factory canteen licence and the food factory licence. Each permits a distinct type of operation. Applying for the wrong category causes delays and additional costs.

General Restaurant Licence

A general restaurant licence is the most common FEHD licence for premises serving a full menu of meals for consumption on the premises. It covers traditional restaurants, Chinese restaurants, Western cuisine establishments and any food premises where customers sit at tables and are served cooked dishes.

The licence requires a fully equipped kitchen with adequate cooking facilities, a washing-up area, a food storage area and separate toilet facilities for staff and customers. The kitchen must meet FEHD hygiene standards including proper ventilation, drainage and pest control measures. A general restaurant licence also permits the sale of beverages including non-alcoholic drinks. If the operator holds a separate liquor licence, alcoholic drinks are permitted too.

Submit a plan of the proposed premises to FEHD for approval before any fit-out work begins. FEHD inspects the premises during and after construction to ensure compliance with building and hygiene requirements. The licence is issued only after the premises pass the final inspection. Expect the process to take several months from plan submission to licence issuance.

Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence

A light refreshment restaurant licence covers premises that sell mainly pre-prepared or simple cooked food. Fast-food outlets, cafes, noodle shops and takeaway counters fall into this category.

The key difference from a general restaurant licence is the range of food preparation allowed. A light refreshment restaurant typically does not have a full kitchen capable of cooking complex dishes. It uses reheating equipment, fryers, hotplates or microwaves instead. The licence permits serving food for consumption on the premises or for takeaway.

Requirements are less stringent than for a general restaurant. The premises still need a food preparation area, a washing-up sink and handwashing facilities, but the kitchen space can be smaller and the ventilation and drainage requirements are reduced. Toilet facilities for customers are not always required, depending on the seating capacity. FEHD still inspects the premises and requires compliance with the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). This licence suits operators who sell coffee, pastries, sandwiches, deep-fried items or noodle soups and do not require a full cooking range.

Factory Canteen Licence

A factory canteen licence permits a canteen located within a factory building to serve food to the workers of that factory. The licence is limited to the factory premises and is intended to serve only the employees of the factory. The canteen may also serve visitors and contractors working at the factory. It cannot serve members of the public who are not connected to the factory operations.

FEHD inspects the canteen facilities including the kitchen, dining area and storage spaces. Hygiene standards are broadly similar to those for a light refreshment restaurant, but the licence does not permit the canteen to operate as a public restaurant. To serve the public, a general restaurant licence or light refreshment restaurant licence is required instead. A factory canteen licence is often cheaper and faster to obtain than a public restaurant licence, but the operator must demonstrate that the canteen is genuinely for the factory workforce and that no public access is allowed.

Food Factory Licence

A food factory licence is required for premises that manufacture, process or package food products for distribution to other businesses. Central kitchens, bakeries, food processing plants and packing facilities all need this licence. It covers businesses that produce food for sale to restaurants, supermarkets, wholesalers or other food businesses, rather than serving food directly to consumers on the premises. The licence is also required for premises that produce food products with a significant shelf life, such as canned goods, sauces, frozen meals or dried snacks.

Requirements are more demanding than for a restaurant licence. The premises must comply with the Food Safety Ordinance (Cap. 612) and the Food Business Regulation. The factory must have a production area segregated from storage and administrative areas, with separate entrances for raw materials and finished products to prevent cross-contamination. The premises must have adequate refrigeration, cooking and packing equipment, plus a quality control system. FEHD inspects the factory before issuing the licence and conducts periodic inspections afterward. The factory must also register its food products with FEHD if they are ready-to-eat or have a prolonged shelf life.

Liquor Licence Is Separate

A food business licence from FEHD does not authorise the sale of alcoholic drinks. Selling liquor for consumption on the premises requires a separate liquor licence granted by the Liquor Licensing Board, an independent body under the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau. The liquor licence is applied for separately after the food business licence is obtained, or simultaneously if the premises are being built. The Liquor Licensing Board assesses factors such as the suitability of the applicant, the location and any objections from the police or nearby residents.

Business Registration Certificate

Every food business must also hold a valid Business Registration Certificate issued by the Inland Revenue Department. This certificate is not a trade licence and does not authorise food handling. It is required under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310) for all businesses operating in Hong Kong, regardless of the industry. Apply for the certificate within one month of commencing business. The certificate must be displayed at the premises.

Summary

The correct licence category depends on the nature of the food business: whether food is served for consumption on the premises, the complexity of food preparation, whether the premises serve the general public or a specific workforce, and whether the business manufactures food for distribution. Each category has specific FEHD requirements for premises layout, equipment and hygiene. A liquor licence is separate and handled by the Liquor Licensing Board. All operators must hold a Business Registration Certificate from the Inland Revenue Department.