The Ministry of Trade and Industry issued a guide for licensing cloud kitchens that work online only via the Internet, with the aim of organizing the process of issuing and granting cloud kitchen licenses within a clear legislative and procedural framework that supports the ease of establishing these facilities and ensures their compatibility with the approved technical, health and supervisory standards.
The Ministry, represented in the Department of Registration and Commercial Licensing, seeks to enhance the digital business environment and provide a unified reference that contributes to facilitating procedures for investors and entrepreneurs, while maintaining the quality and safety of the food services provided.
The evidence also provides a comprehensive understanding of the requirements and regulatory controls, which contributes to reducing procedural errors and raising the efficiency of the issuance of licenses, in order to enhance the competitiveness of the food sector and keep pace with the directions of digital transformation in the country.
Definition of cloud kitchens
Cloud kitchens are installations dedicated to preparing and marketing food online only, without the presence of dining halls or a direct reception for customers, and this modern model helps owners of projects to reduce operational costs and expand quickly and efficiently using technology and delivery services.
The cloud kitchens work with two patterns:
– Kitchens divided into independent units that are leased to several brands that operate within the same facility.
– A unified kitchen run by one party for several brands, the same facilities and team use various lists, which increases efficiency and expands the options available to customers.
– The target groups of service
Entrepreneurs and investors in the food sector
Delivery and food applications companies
Restaurants that seek to expand without opening new branches
General and private requirements for cloud kitchens:
There is a set of public and private requirements that must be adhered to to license and operate cloud kitchens.
General requirements:
1 -That the site be suitable for the type of kitchen divided or multi -mark.
2 -The building completion certificate is available for the site with obtaining the approval of the competent authority.
3 -Commitment to safety and prevention requirements such as civil defense, firefighting and industrial ventilation.
4 -The presence of water, electricity and sewage networks separately, ensuring that they do not affect public health.
5- The site is not attached directly to permanent housing or residential use.
6 -Show the trade name and the commercial registry number on the kitchen interface clearly.
Special requirements:
1- Obtaining the approval of the Technical Affairs Department of the Ministry of Municipal.
2 -Obtaining final approvals from the civil defense and health authorities.
3- The separation between the preparation spaces. Cooking, storage, and packaging.
4- Allocating a security entrance to delivery employees that prevent their interference with the preparation areas.
5 -The presence of sufficient ventilation means and ensuring the ease of entry and exit of vehicles.
Violations and penalties:
The cloud kitchens in Qatar are subject to control by the competent authorities, and all laws and instructions must be fully committed. In the event of any violation of the provisions of the license or organizational requirements, the penalties stipulated in Law No. 5 of 2015 and its amendments are applied. The Ministry of Trade and Industry or any of the competent authorities (such as the Ministry of Municipality is obligated to Law No. 5 of 2009, the Ministry of Interior – the Civil Defense Department under Law No. 4 of 1985 AD to take the following measures:
-Stop the license temporarily until the violation is corrected.
-The license permanently withdrawn in the event of a repeat of the violation or in the event of a direct threat to public health and safety.
Take the necessary legal measures against the violator, which may include fines or administrative closure.
-The cloud kitchen operator should immediately report any health or technical emergency that may affect food safety, and full cooperation with regulatory authorities during sudden or periodic inspection visits.
* Procedure for the procedures for issuing the commercial license for the cloud kitchen (main)
The investor must follow the following:
1 – Establishing a company and issuing a commercial record, and this is done through the site of one window services, provided that the commercial activity in the registry and the license is the activity of food processing companies or the contractors – activity code 562901 -.
2 – Issuing a commercial license for the cloud kitchen, according to the procedures shown in the following segments:
Provide the following requirements:
Establishment phase
-The approval of the Urban Planning Department at the Ministry of Municipal.
-The approval of the Civil Defense Department at the Ministry of Interior
-Reporting the commercial registry
Submit a request to obtain the commercial license through the site of one window services.
The expected period from 1 day to 2 days
Commercial license issuance requirements (in addition to
Previous approvals):
Commercial registry extract
Building completion certificate
title
Get the tax number
Pictures of personal cards for the owner of the property, the license student and the responsible manager in the commercial license
Obtaining the establishment of the facility
Qatar Chamber’s membership subscription
Dashboard
Approving a rental relationship
A copy of the commercial registry
Paying fees for issuing commercial license (commercial licensing fees 500 riyals).