56Food and beverage service activities
餐飲服務活動
This division encompasses a wide range of establishments that provide food and beverage services to customers. It includes restaurants, cafes, bars, and catering services, where food and drinks are prepared and served for immediate consumption.
Groups in this division
Licences and approvals
What this activity needs to operate
Activities under this code trigger the following licensing regimes. Emerhub prepares and files each application on your behalf.
Food Factory Licence
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Required for premises where food is prepared for sale for human consumption off the premises, under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). Covers operations such as central kitchens, takeaway food preparation, sauce and noodle making, roasted meat production and similar processing. A provisional licence option is available.
Event caterers preparing food off-site operate under a food factory licence
- Processing time
- FEHD guide flow: consulted departments reply within 24 working days of referral; letter of requirements issued within 7 working days of confirmation that the premises are suitable; full licence approval steps within 2 to 8 working days after compliance is confirmed
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
General Restaurant Licence
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Required for any premises selling meals or unbottled non-alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises, with no restriction on cooking methods or food types. Issued under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). Applicants may obtain a provisional licence while working toward the full licence.
- Processing time
- FEHD performance targets: Application Vetting Panel meeting within 20 working days of acceptance of the application; letter of requirements issued and final verification inspection within 8 working days of notification of compliance; provisional licence issued over the counter within 1 working day when all essential requirements are met
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD)
Required for premises selling light refreshments for consumption on the premises where only simple cooking processes are used and the food range is limited. Issued under the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X). A provisional licence option is available during the full licence application.
- Processing time
- FEHD performance targets: Application Vetting Panel meeting within 20 working days of acceptance of the application; letter of requirements issued and final verification inspection within 8 working days of notification of compliance; provisional licence issued over the counter within 1 working day when all essential requirements are met
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Liquor Licence
Liquor Licensing Board (executive and secretarial support provided by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department)
Required by any person selling or supplying liquor for consumption on the premises, under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109) and Dutiable Commodities (Liquor) Regulations (Cap. 109B). The Liquor Licensing Board is an independent statutory body that considers applications, generally for premises holding or applying for a restaurant licence. A liquor licence is issued only once the premises hold a full or provisional restaurant licence, or a Certificate of Compliance for club liquor licences.
Required in addition to the restaurant licence where liquor is served
- Processing time
- About 8 weeks for non-contested applications and about 10 weeks for contested or contentious applications, per the Liquor Licensing Board application guide flow chart
Official sourceVerified 2026-07-14
Standard compliance
Compliance every Hong Kong company shares
Beyond anything specific to this activity, every Hong Kong company handles two-tiered profits tax, the annual return (Form NAR1) within 42 days of its incorporation anniversary, audited accounts, MPF enrolment for staff, and a company secretary. Emerhub runs all of it on your behalf.
See the full Hong Kong compliance calendarIncorporate in Hong Kong
Starting a food and beverage service activities business in Hong Kong?
Emerhub incorporates your company, registers the business nature above with the IRD, files every licence application, and runs your company secretary and compliance calendar. You provide the documents; Emerhub handles every government interaction.
Start incorporation with Emerhub