What Permits Do You Need to Open a Coffee Shop? Coffee Shop Opening Process and Costs

Recently, many exquisite independent coffee shops have emerged in the coffee community.

The general impression people have of coffee shops is that they are low-pressure, leisurely, slow-paced businesses that can easily generate good revenue. But in reality, this is not the case.

If you happen to be thinking about opening an independent coffee shop right now, but have a big concern in your heart: "What exactly is the first step to opening a coffee shop?"

What is an Independent Coffee Shop?

Generally run personally by the owner, independent coffee shops are free brands, not chains or franchises. Each independent coffee shop has its own "personality"; they are generally not large, and the decor style usually follows the owner's "character." Most independent coffee shops I've visited are simple and individualistic, often "hidden" in small corners of the city, requiring careful discovery.

Today, I'll discuss with you the "Five Key Considerations for Opening a Coffee Shop." Although some policies may have changed now, the main categories remain the same. (The following points are not limited to coffee shops only.)

First Consideration: Where to Open?

Those planning to open a shop should determine their "location" based on the characteristics of their entrepreneurial project.

Choosing a quiet, remote street means relatively lower rent; selecting a location with high foot traffic will bring more daily orders and make it easier to be known, but the rent will be relatively higher.

Generally, small shops in good locations have monthly rent ranging from ¥8,000 to ¥18,000.

Second Consideration: Verify the Lessor's Identity

Renting a commercial space is like renting a house - only the person with property rights has the authority to rent the shop to you.

If you've found a shop you like, don't rush to sign a lease agreement immediately. Instead, first go to the real estate trading center where the shop is located to conduct a property rights investigation and confirm three key pieces of information:

1. Property and Land Use:

Ensure that the property type is commercial and the land use is non-residential as required to be rented as a commercial space. Otherwise, you will face the risk of being unable to obtain a business license and illegally using the property.

2. Property Owner:

Ensure that the person negotiating the contract with you is the actual owner of the shop. If there are two or more persons listed as rights holders on the property certificate, they generally need to be present simultaneously when signing the contract.

3. Existing Lease Registration Information:

If lease registration information already exists, it will prevent the new lease agreement from being registered, making the new tenant's lease relationship unable to withstand third-party claims. This is key to the new tenant smoothly obtaining a business license.

Third Requirement: Business License

Coffee shop operators must not engage in business activities in the name of the coffee shop before obtaining a business license. The date of issuance of the business license is the date of establishment of the coffee shop.

Oh my, so much preparation needed!

When applying for registration, the following documents and certificates should be submitted:

1. Registration application form signed by the responsible person of the organization;

2. Approval documents from the competent department or approval authority;

3. Organizational charter or partnership agreement;

4. Capital credit certificate, capital verification certificate, or capital guarantee;

5. Identity certificate of the main responsible person of the coffee shop;

6. Proof of use of residence and business premises;

7. Approval documents and certificates from administrative departments such as environmental protection, as well as other relevant documents and certificates.

Additionally, within the city or county of registration, the trade name of coffee shops in the same industry must not be identical. Coffee shops can engrave official seals according to their registered trade name and submit them to the original business registration authority for filing. Coffee shops without a trade name will not be registered.

Fourth Requirement: Food Business Operation

The issuance date of the Food Business Operation Permit is the date when the licensing decision is made, and it is valid for 5 years.

When you apply for a Food Business Operation Permit for your coffee shop, remember to apply according to your business scope.

Food Business Operation Permit Management

To apply for a Food Business Operation Permit, the following materials should be submitted to the market supervision and administration department in the district where the applicant is located:

1. Food Business Operation Permit application form;

2. Copy of business license, or other proof of subject qualification (if not yet obtained, a copy of the document approving establishment from the competent department);

3. Documents related to the layout of main equipment and facilities, operational procedures, etc., suitable for food business operations (indicating the purpose and area of business premises and the location of equipment and facilities). Remember to get approval here before proceeding with the next step of renovation; otherwise, if it's not approved, you'll only be asked to dismantle and redo it.

4. Rules and regulations to ensure food safety;

5. Waste cooking oil management system for catering service operators who generate waste cooking oil and food sales operators engaged in on-site production and sales (including waste cooking oil generation declarations, collection and transportation contracts, transportation waybills, record ledgers, and installation and use of oil-water separators by catering service providers);

6. Rules and regulations to ensure public health for various restaurants and beverage shops (including restaurants, coffee shops, bars, tea houses);

7. Other materials required by laws, regulations, and rules.

Health Certificate

Every employee (including the owner) needs to obtain a food service health certificate.

Fifth Requirement: Tax Registration

Coffee shops must apply for tax registration with the competent tax authority within 30 days from the date of obtaining their business license. Obtain a tax registration form from the competent tax authority and fill it out truthfully.

The tax registration form generally includes the following content:

1. Coffee shop name, legal representative or owner's name and their resident ID number or other legal certificate number;

2. Residence and business address;

3. Economic nature;

4. Coffee shop form and accounting method;

5. Business scope and business method;

6. Registered capital, total investment, opening bank and account number;

7. Business period, number of employees, business license number;

8. Financial officer, tax handling personnel;

9. Other relevant matters.

When filling out the tax registration form, the following certificates and materials should be provided according to different situations:

1. Business license;

2. Relevant contracts, articles of association, agreements;

3. Bank account certificate;

4. Resident ID card and other legal certificates.

Note: The above information is for reference only. Please refer to the regulations of the relevant local management departments for specific situations.

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