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Step-by-step plan to start a catering “HORECA” business

There is a lot to consider when starting a catering business. In the catering industry you will have to deal with all kinds of government regulations. Think of the Drinking and Catering Act and Social Hygiene. The zoning plan contains all the important matters that you need to take into account when starting a catering business. For example, whether you can open a restaurant at the desired location or start your own café. Also check whether you need a permit for, for example, selling alcohol or installing a terrace.

1. Register your catering company with the Chamber of Commerce

You must register your catering business in the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce. Please note: you can only register if you have a lease or purchase contract for the building where you are going to establish yourself with your catering company. The Chamber of Commerce will pass on your details to the tax authorities. You do not have to register your company separately with the tax authorities. If the Tax Authorities include you as a VAT entrepreneur in the administration, you will receive your turnover tax number and your VAT identification number (VAT ID).

2. Check the zoning plan before establishing a specific location

In the zoning plan of the municipality it is stated whether catering is allowed in a certain place. If not, you can ask your municipality to change the zoning plan. This is a lengthy procedure.

3. Apply for an operating permit for a catering business

You need a catering business operating permit if customers eat and drink in your restaurant or café. Sometimes no operating permit for a catering business is required. For example for a take-away restaurant or company canteen. This differs per municipality. Please contact your municipality for this.

By the way, you cannot serve alcohol with only an operating license. For this you need a beverage and catering permit.

4. Apply for a beverage and catering license

You need a beverage and catering permit to serve alcohol. You must be 21 years old to apply for a drinking and catering license. At least 2 people must be listed on a catering permit. They must both be in possession of the Declaration of Knowledge and Understanding Social Hygiene. And they must actually be present in the company.

Do you only serve non-alcoholic drinks?

Check with your municipality whether you need a drinking and catering leave.

5. Provide a fireproof catering establishment

The Drinks and Catering Act sets a number of requirements for the design of your catering business. These requirements only apply if you need a drinking and catering license. You must also take measures to avoid dangerous situations. Consider, for example, the use of non-combustible or fire-retardant materials.

6. Check whether you need an environmental permit

You usually need an environmental permit for building to build, rebuild or renovate. Are you going to demolish? Then you often have to make a demolition report. Different rules apply to a monument. You usually also need an environmental permit to place advertising on or on your property.

You have to pay sufferance tax for advertising on public land.

7. Find out which other permits you need

Permits you may also need if you are going to start a restaurant or open a cafe:

terrace permit

permit sales demonstration in catering industry

presence permit for gaming machines.

If you place gaming machines, you must pay betting tax.

8. Arrange your registration in a register of the NVWA

If you produce, process or sell foodstuffs, you must register in a register of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The NVWA supervises rules for the production, processing or sale of food. These rules exist so that food is safe for consumers

9. Work in accordance with the HACCP

When preparing food and drinks, you must work in accordance with the HACCP. HACCP is a safety system that prevents the safety of foodstuffs from being endangered. At each stage in production you map out what could go wrong and how you can prevent it. You can use an approved hygiene code or draw up a HACCP plan yourself. If you work according to an approved hygiene code, you automatically comply with the law. If you draw up a HACCP plan yourself, the NVWA will assess your plan. View the hygiene codes per sector on the NVWA website.

10. If you hire personnel

If you employ staff, you must have a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E). You can use the Horeca RI&E. If you sell spirits, your staff must be 16 or older. A bar employee under the age of 18 is allowed to sell alcohol, but not drink. A supervisor of at least 21 years must always be present in the case. This must have an SVH Diploma Social Hygiene or a declaration of professional competence. You need this catering diploma or statement to register in the Social Hygiene Register.

11. Check the permitted opening times

The permitted opening times and closing times differ per municipality. Do you want to open your catering business outside the applicable closing times? Then you have to apply for an exemption in many municipalities. You must have a liquor and catering license or be the manager of a catering company.

12. Check the environmental regulations

If you are going to start a catering business, you will have to deal with environmental regulations. For example in the field of noise, energy and waste. It is usually not necessary to apply for an environmental permit. A report from your company to the municipality is often sufficient. Please contact the municipality where you want to establish your catering business.

13. Request permission to use music

Do you play music in your catering company, for example background music? Then you must have permission from the lyricist, the composer and the music publisher. You can arrange this by applying for a license and paying a fee. You do this at a collective management organization (CBO) such as Buma / Stemra or Sena. They arrange that your compensation is sent to the makers.

Smoking ban in the catering industry

Smoking is not allowed in catering establishments. Read more about the smoking ban in the hospitality industry.