Licensing for Fast Food Restaurants
If you are opening or expanding your quick service food restaurant, Poppleston Allen can help. We will help you obtain all the licences you need to start your business, stay compliant and avoid any unwanted fines.
Fast Food Restaurant Licenses
Fast food licensing follows a lot of the same requirements as more traditional restaurants. If you are planning to sell alcohol, have entertainment, or sell hot food and drink between 23:00 and 05:00 the following day, you will need a premises licence.
If you are planning on selling alcohol, you will need an alcohol personal licence holder to be your Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).
If you only want to have a live band or DJ you may need a temporary event notice to stay compliant, depending on your licence – this is something we can help with whenever you need.
Fast Food Restaurants We’ve Helped
At Poppleston Allen, we’ve helped a number of different businesses in the fast food industry obtain all the licenses they need to operate; some of these fast food venues are Wendy’s, Burger King, Five Guys, Slim Chickens, PizzaExpress, and many more.
How Poppleston Allen Can Help!
At Poppleston Allen, we have a team of expert solicitors that can help you obtain all the current licenses to ensure your new restaurant obeys all relevant rules and regulations. To speak to us, contact us or fill out the form below.
Fast Food Licensing Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a fast food restaurant?
When setting up a fast food, or quick service restaurant, there are a few things you need to do, including:
- Get planning permission – Before doing anything else, make sure you have the right planning permission in place is vital. We recommend speaking to a planning consultant who will outline current permissions, the history of the premises and what is possible going forwards.
- Obtain relevant licences – Once planning permission is ticked off, the next thing you need to do is all other legal permissions to trade your business, such as a premises licence, an alcohol personal licence and maybe even some temporary events notices. At Poppleston Allen, we can help with all of that.
- Register your food business – By law, every food business in the UK, needs to be registered with the local authority at least 28 days before it trades.
- Food hygiene certificate – The food hygiene rating of a food business can either help it thrive or fail, making sure you have all the procedures in place to comply with all hygiene standards is important.
- Make sure you’re compliant everywhere – Insurance is required and non-negotiable so make sure this is in order. Check all employment laws and make sure you’re compliant.
For more information, read our guide on everything you need to know when opening a fast food restaurant.
How long will it take to get a premise licence?
At the very best, getting a premises licence will take 4 weeks; this is the minimum period during which representations can be made.
If any representations are made, the council has to hold a hearing which may take several weeks to organise and hold. We have many years of experience helping many different businesses obtain a premise licence efficiently, get in touch.
Do I need an alcohol personal licence if not selling alcohol?
You will only need an alcohol personal licence, if you are planning on selling alcohol, you will need an alcohol personal licence holder to be your Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS).