Cloud kitchens - also called ghost or dark kitchens - are among the fastest-growing food business models in India. Selling only through Swiggy, Zomato and Magicpin, you can run a delivery-only kitchen without dine-in space, cutting rent and setup cost sharply. The catch is licensing: a cloud kitchen still needs the same statutory licences as a restaurant (minus liquor), and missing any one risks fines or being delisted by the aggregators.
This guide walks through every licence and registration you need, the realistic costs, and the order to do them in. Where a step has its own deep-dive, we link to it - starting with the most important one, your FSSAI registration.
The licences and registrations you need
| Licence / registration | Mandatory? | Typical govt. fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business registration (Pvt Ltd / LLP / Proprietorship) | Yes | Varies by structure | 7-15 days |
| FSSAI licence (Basic / State / Central) | Yes | Rs 100 - 7,500 | 15-30 days |
| GST registration | Yes (turnover over Rs 20 lakh, or if the platform requires it) | Free (govt.) | 3-7 days |
| Trade licence (municipal) | Yes | Rs 1,000 - 10,000 (city-wise) | 15-30 days |
| Fire safety NOC | City-dependent | Rs 2,000 - 10,000 | 7-30 days |
| Health / pollution NOC | Larger kitchens | Rs 2,000 - 15,000 | 15-45 days |
| Shop & establishment | Yes | Rs 500 - 5,000 (state-wise) | 7-15 days |
| Professional tax | Some states | Rs 500 - 2,000 | 7-15 days |
| Signage permission | If you have a signboard | Rs 500 - 5,000 | 7-15 days |
Step 1: Pick and register your business structure
Most single-location cloud kitchens start as a proprietorship or LLP; founders planning multiple brands or several cities usually choose a Private Limited company for cleaner ownership and funding. If you are unsure, our Pvt Ltd vs LLP vs OPC comparison breaks down the trade-offs, and you can register through Regikart's company registration team.
Step 2: FSSAI licence (the most important one)
Your FSSAI licence tier is decided by turnover. Most cloud kitchens fall under the State Licence.
| Annual turnover | FSSAI tier | Govt. fee (indicative) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to Rs 12 lakh | Basic Registration | Rs 100 |
| Rs 12 lakh - 20 crore | State Licence | Rs 2,000 - 5,000 |
| Above Rs 20 crore | Central Licence | Rs 7,500 |
You apply on the FoSCoS portal (foscos.fssai.gov.in) with Form A/B, ID and address proof, a kitchen layout, a water test report, an equipment list, food-handler medical fitness certificates and FoSTaC training certificates. A State Food Safety Officer may inspect within 30 days before the licence issues. For the full tier breakdown, see our guide on FSSAI licence types - Basic, State and Central, or have Regikart handle the FSSAI registration end to end.
Step 3: GST registration
GST registration is required once turnover crosses Rs 20 lakh - which most cloud kitchens do quickly - and the aggregators often ask for a GSTIN regardless. Cloud-kitchen delivery is usually treated as restaurant service at 5% (without input tax credit), while outdoor catering is 18% (with ITC); the right treatment depends on your exact model, so confirm it with a CA. Swiggy and Zomato also handle TDS on their commission under Section 194-O. Register via Regikart's GST registration team if you would rather not do it yourself.
Step 4: Municipal trade licence, fire & health NOCs
The trade licence is issued by your city's municipal corporation - BMC in Mumbai, BBMP in Bangalore, GHMC in Hyderabad, KMC in Kolkata, and so on - usually after a sanitation inspection, against your business registration, FSSAI licence and property documents.
A fire safety NOC from the state fire department is required in most metros (some cities exempt very small or ground-floor kitchens), and larger kitchens may also need a health or pollution NOC from the State Pollution Control Board. Timelines vary widely by city, so start these early and in parallel with FSSAI.
Step 5: Shop & establishment, professional tax, signage
- Shop & establishment registration is required in every state under the Shops and Establishments Act - usually a quick online filing with the state labour department.
- Professional tax registration applies in states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal and Gujarat. See our professional tax registration guide.
- Signage permission is needed only if you put up a board outside the kitchen, and many states exempt small signs.
What it costs to start
Licences and registrations are a small slice of the budget - equipment, rent deposits and working capital dominate. As a rough guide for a single-brand kitchen in a tier-1 city:
| Cost head | Indicative range |
|---|---|
| All licences & registrations | Rs 15,000 - 50,000 |
| Kitchen equipment + refrigeration | Rs 4,00,000 - 11,00,000 |
| Rent deposit (2-3 months advance + security) | Rs 1,00,000 - 3,00,000 |
| Smallwares, packaging, technology, branding | Rs 1,40,000 - 4,00,000 |
| Working capital buffer (3 months) | Rs 2,00,000 - 5,00,000 |
| Total setup (single brand, tier-1) | Rs 8,00,000 - 15,00,000 |
Getting listed on Swiggy & Zomato
Once your FSSAI licence, GST registration and trade licence are in place, register on the Swiggy and Zomato partner portals, upload your FSSAI, GST, PAN, bank details and kitchen photos, and complete their verification (they may inspect the kitchen). Aggregator commissions typically run around 20-28%, so build that into your pricing. Listing on more than one platform plus your own ordering channel reduces the risk of a single platform suspension wiping out your revenue.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Starting before the FSSAI licence is issued - the quickest way to get fined and delisted.
- Skipping FoSTaC training, which stalls the FSSAI application.
- Choosing a low-demand location - delivery density matters more than floor area.
- Underestimating working capital and running out of cash by month three.
- Depending on a single aggregator instead of diversifying channels.
- Not protecting the brand name with a trademark.
FAQs
Can I run a cloud kitchen from home?
Generally no. FSSAI expects a commercial kitchen with proper ventilation, pest control and waste management, and the aggregators require a licensed commercial premises.
Do I need GST for a cloud kitchen?
Yes once turnover crosses Rs 20 lakh - which most cloud kitchens reach quickly - and the platforms often require a GSTIN regardless. Cloud-kitchen delivery is usually taxed as restaurant service at 5%.
What does the FSSAI licence cost?
Roughly Rs 100 for Basic Registration, Rs 2,000-5,000 for a State Licence (the common tier), and Rs 7,500 for a Central Licence, depending on turnover.
How long does it take to launch?
About 45-60 days from idea to first order, running business registration, FSSAI and the other licences in parallel with kitchen setup.
How much space do I need?
Around 150-200 sq ft suffices for a single brand; multi-brand kitchens usually want 300-500 sq ft.
Set it up with Regikart
Regikart can handle the statutory side of your cloud kitchen end to end - company registration, FSSAI licence, GST registration and trademark - so you can focus on the food. Talk to a CA through our contact page to map out exactly which licences your city and model require.
About the author
Ganesh
Senior Advisor at Regikart. Want to discuss this in the context of your business?
