FSSAI License for Restaurants & Cloud Kitchens
Most independent restaurants and cloud kitchens fall under Basic Registration or a State License, depending on turnover. Chains operating across more than one state need a Central License regardless of turnover. Food delivery aggregators typically require a valid FSSAI number before onboarding you.
A concrete example first
A cloud kitchen operator in Pune only discovered they needed FSSAI registration when a food delivery aggregator's onboarding team asked for a license number before letting them list more than a handful of dishes.
Which tier applies
Most independent restaurants and single-location cloud kitchens fall under Basic Registration or a State License, depending on turnover — see Basic vs State License. A multi-outlet chain operating across more than one state needs a Central License regardless of turnover, covered in State vs Central License.
Share your turnover and business type and we'll confirm whether you need Basic Registration, a State License, or a Central License.
Check my category →Aggregator onboarding
Food delivery platforms like Swiggy and Zomato, along with quick-commerce apps, generally require a valid FSSAI registration or license number before onboarding a restaurant or kitchen — this is one of the most common ways operators discover the requirement after they've already started trading informally.
Premises and hygiene documentation
Beyond the basic paperwork, a State License for a restaurant or kitchen typically needs a premises layout plan and a local NOC — see the full documents checklist.
Does a cloud kitchen need a different FSSAI category than a dine-in restaurant?
No — FSSAI doesn't treat cloud kitchens as a separate category from dine-in restaurants. What determines your tier is turnover and whether you operate in one state or several, exactly as it would for any other food business.
This article is for general information only. For your specific situation, consult a practicing CA.
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