Licenses sound intimidating. They are not. Getting all the licenses you need for a food franchise in India costs Rs 5,000-15,000 total and takes 6-8 weeks if you start the applications in parallel.
Here is every license you need, what it costs, and exactly how to get it.
1. FSSAI Registration or License
What it is: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India certification. Mandatory for any food business.
Which type do you need?
Annual turnover up to Rs 1.5 crore: Basic Registration (Rs 100 a year)
Turnover above Rs 1.5 crore and up to Rs 50 crore: State License (Rs 2,000-5,000 a year)
Turnover above Rs 50 crore: Central License (Rs 7,500 a year)
These are the revised thresholds that took effect on 1 April 2026. The old Rs 12 lakh and Rs 20 crore cut-offs no longer apply, and existing holders were moved to the new categories at the back end with no fee and no change to the licence number.
Most new franchise kiosks will sit in the Basic Registration band for a long time now, because the registration ceiling is Rs 1.5 crore of annual turnover.
How to apply: Online at foscos.fssai.gov.in
Documents needed: Identity proof, address proof, food safety plan, layout plan of the premises.
Timeline: 7-30 days for registration, 30-60 days for state license.
Validity: There is no renewal any more. The Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, gazetted on 10 March 2026, scrapped the old one to five year renewal cycle. Your registration or licence now stays valid until it is suspended, cancelled or surrendered. What replaces renewal is the annual fee, plus the annual return where it applies to you. If you miss the annual fee, the licence is suspended automatically without any notice being sent, and you have to clear the dues and any penalty to get it back. You can pay the fee for several years in advance if you would rather not track it every year.
Your franchise brand should help you with the food safety plan document. TBWX provides this as part of the onboarding process.
2. GST Registration
What it is: Goods and Services Tax registration.
When mandatory: If turnover exceeds Rs 20 lakh (Rs 10 lakh for special category states like Uttarakhand and HP). Even if below the threshold, registration is recommended for credibility and to claim input credits.
Cost: Free
How to apply: Online at gst.gov.in
Documents needed: PAN card, Aadhaar, bank account proof, business address proof, photographs.
Timeline: 7-10 working days.
3. Trade License (Municipal Corporation)
What it is: Permission from your local municipal body to operate a commercial business at your address.
Cost: Rs 500-5,000 (varies significantly by city and zone).
How to apply: Visit your local municipal office or apply online through your city's municipal website.
Documents needed: Property documents or rent agreement, ID proof, business registration proof.
Timeline: 15-30 days.
4. Shop and Establishment Registration
What it is: State-level registration under the Shops and Establishment Act. Covers working conditions, holidays, payment of wages.
Cost: Rs 500-2,000.
How to apply: Through your state's labour department (many states offer online portals).
When to apply: Within 30 days of starting operations.
Timeline: 15-30 days.
5. Fire Safety Certificate (NOC from Fire Department)
What it is: No Objection Certificate from the local fire department confirming your premises meet fire safety norms.
Cost: Rs 1,000-3,000.
How to apply: Apply to your local fire department. They will inspect your premises.
Note: For small kiosks (under 150 sq ft), some cities waive this requirement. Check with your local fire department.
Timeline: 7-15 days after inspection.
6. Signage License (If Applicable)
What it is: Permission to display outdoor signage and branding at your premises.
Cost: Rs 500-5,000 per year (varies by city and signage size).
Note: Not all cities require this. Check with your municipal corporation.
Total Cost and Timeline Summary
| License | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI Registration | Rs 100-5,000 | 7-60 days |
| GST Registration | Free | 7-10 days |
| Trade License | Rs 500-5,000 | 15-30 days |
| Shop and Establishment | Rs 500-2,000 | 15-30 days |
| Fire NOC | Rs 1,000-3,000 | 7-15 days |
| Signage License | Rs 500-5,000 | 7-15 days |
| Total | Rs 2,600-20,000 | 6-8 weeks (parallel) |
Pro Tips
Start applications while your outlet is being set up. Do not wait until the store is ready. Running setup and licenses in parallel saves 4-6 weeks.
Your franchise brand should guide you through this. TBWX provides a license checklist and helps with document preparation as part of onboarding.
Keep all original documents safely. You will need to display your FSSAI certificate at the outlet.
Pay the FSSAI annual fee on time. FSSAI registrations and licences do not need renewal any more, but the annual fee and the annual return still do, and missing the fee suspends your licence automatically. Trade license and signage license are still annual. Set calendar reminders.
Start your TBWX franchise journey, we handle the license guidance so you can focus on setup.