Steps to start a quick service restaurant in India

In India, a new kind of food business known as Quick Service Restaurant has started mushrooming across cities and states. Quick Service Restaurants serve fast food cuisines like burgers, pizzas, donuts, rolls, dosas etc. Such services are very lucrative and requires minimal table service. It has a huge scope as most working class population and students prefer to avail such options.

Following are the steps to start a Quick Service Restaurant in India:

(1) Determine the location of the Quick Service Restaurant.

(2) Obtain all the legal licenses required to make the QSR legal.

(3) Hire the required staff.

(4) Arrange for the kitchen equipment and raw materials needed.

(5) Promote the QST.

(6) Install POS or billing software for efficient payment collection.

Elaborating the above points as follows:

(1) Determine the location of the Quick Service Restaurant:

Location acts as a crucial factor in determining the success or failure of the business. The Quick Service Restaurant's accessibility and visibility in the area are essential to lure customers. In order to build a good kitchen, the store must atleast be of 450 sq     ft in size. For such a restaurant, proper water supply and drainage facility is important. The No Objection Certificate (NOC) must be obtained from the owner/authority of that particular location or space. A NOC is essential in order to obtain the Local Municipal License and the Food License FSSAI Registration.

(2) Obtain all the legal licenses required to make the QSR legal.

The licenses which need to be obtained on top priority are the Food License from the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India), GST (Goods and Service Tax) Registration, Local Municipal Corporation Health License, Police Eating House License and Fire license. Out of all the above mentioned license, the Food License, GST Registration, Local Municipal Corporation Health License are the most important licenses that needs to be mandatorily obtained. All the permits should be in place before opening the outlet in order to avoid any legal hiccups. It is to be noted that the Municipal Corporation health license can be obtained by contacting the local health inspector who will guide the process for obtaining the Local Municipal Corporation Health License. The Police Eating House and the Fore License can be obtined after receiving the Municipal Corporation Health License.

(3) Hire the required staff.

A great team behind the counter and a good chef is the secret to a successful Quick Service Restaurant. A great chef not just cooks and designs the menu but also guides the rest of the kitchen staff.

(4) Arrange for the kitchen equipment and raw materials needed.

The most important criteria while starting a Quick Service Restaurant is the to arrange kitchen equipment and raw materials. A working table, refrigerator, store rack, gas pipeline/stove are required while starting such a business. Some more kitchen equipments like mixer, fry-pans, knices, cutting boards and other utensils are required.

(5) Promote the QST.

In order to attract customers, you need to promote the business. For this, you can use pamphlets, well designed billboards and look at digital marketing approaches too which will help to promote the business to a great extent.

(6) Install POS or billing software for efficient payment collection.

One of the most critical and integral part of a successful operation and management of a  quick service restaurant is the POS or billing software.

Quick service restaurants are the new trend in India. But it is equally important to obtain the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Act in India) License to efficiently run the business. Food Safety has to be given importance and you need to abide to the laws and regulations prescribed by the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.