Opening a Catering Business Checklist

Find out what you need to do to open a food business using our quick checklist.

For more advice, download or order the Food Standards Agency booklet Starting Up – Your First Steps to Running a Catering Business, available in English and other languages.

Checklist for Starting Up

• Have you registered your premises with the council?

• Do the design and construction of your premises meet legal requirements?

• Have you put food safety management procedures in place and are you keeping up-to-date records of these?

• Do you and your staff understand the principles of good food hygiene?

• Have you considered health and safety and fire safety arrangements?

• Do you need to apply for a licence to sell alcohol, for entertainment, for selling hot food and drink late at night, or selling food on the street?

• Have you registered as self-employed?

• Do you need to register for VAT?

• Are you keeping records of all your business income and expenses?

• Are you keeping records of your employees’ pay and do you know how to pay their tax and National Insurance contributions?

• Do you describe food and drink accurately?