Which FSSAI License for Your Restaurant?
| Restaurant Type | Expected Turnover | FSSAI Required | Govt Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small dhaba / tiffin / tea stall | Below Rs. 12 lakh/yr | Basic Registration | Rs. 100/yr |
| Restaurant, cafe, bakery, QSR | Rs. 12 lakh – Rs. 20 crore | State License | Rs. 2,000–5,000/yr |
| Hotel / resort with restaurant | Rs. 12 lakh – Rs. 20 crore | State License | Rs. 2,000–5,000/yr |
| Food court / chain restaurant | Above Rs. 20 crore or multi-state | Central License | Rs. 7,500/yr |
Most dine-in restaurants in Pondicherry require a State License. We advise on the correct category based on your turnover and scale of operations.
Complete Compliance Package for New Restaurants
To legally operate a restaurant in Pondicherry, multiple registrations are required. We handle all of them:
State license (Form B) for most restaurants. Mandatory before commencing food service. Must be displayed prominently at the premises.
From Pondicherry Municipality or Commune Panchayat. Required for commercial food businesses. We assist in obtaining this alongside FSSAI.
Mandatory if turnover exceeds Rs. 20 lakh (services). 5% GST on restaurant services (without ITC) or 18% with ITC for A/C restaurants. GSTIN needed for Swiggy/Zomato.
Pondicherry Fire and Emergency Services NOC required for restaurants with seating capacity above 50 or premises on upper floors. We advise on fire safety compliance.
Optional but recommended — Udyam registration provides access to priority lending, MUDRA loans and government scheme benefits for restaurant owners.
Business PAN (for firms/companies) or individual PAN for sole proprietorship. Required for GST, bank account and all regulatory registrations.
Key FSSAI Hygiene Requirements for Restaurants
Restaurants must comply with Schedule 4 of FSSAI Regulations (Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011):
- Clean water supply — tested annually
- Separate hand-washing facilities for food handlers
- Pest control measures in place
- Refrigeration for perishable items (0–5°C)
- No use of non-permitted food colours or additives
- Proper waste disposal system
- Adequate ventilation and exhaust
- Food handler medical certificates
- FSSAI license number on menus and display boards
- No adulteration — clean cooking oil standards
Restaurant License Application Process
We assess whether you need basic registration or state license based on expected turnover, seating capacity, delivery operations and food preparation methods.
Collect identity proofs, premises documents (rental agreement), NOC from landlord, food category list and photographs of premises. For state license, premises inspection may be required.
File Form A (basic) or Form B (state) on the FoSCoS portal with all documents. Coordinate with the Pondicherry Designated Officer / District Authority for processing.
FSSAI registration/license certificate issued with 14-digit number. We ensure the certificate is printed and displayed at the premises as required by law. Swiggy/Zomato onboarding using FSSAI number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get Your Restaurant FSSAI License
We handle FSSAI license, trade license and GST registration for new restaurants and cafes in Pondicherry — a complete compliance package to launch your food business legally.