Cafes, coffee houses & snack bars serve light meals and refreshments. They may be standalone food shops or stalls within food shops.

Characteristics of Cafes, Coffee Houses & Snack Bars
Statistics & Trends
Government Programmes & Assistance
Licences & Permits
Laws & Regulations
National Events & Competitions
Trade Associations
Key Government Agencies

Characteristics Of Cafes, Coffee Houses & Snack Bars

• Cafes, coffee houses and snack bars (including lunch counters and refreshment stands) are typically small and casual F&B establishments serving light meals, snacks and refreshments.

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Statistics & Trends

• Here are some statistics and trends that you may be interested in:
  
  
  • Overview Of The F&B Industry
    The F&B sector, including bars & pubs, contributed S$1.7 billion or 0.9% to Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2005.
    
    
  • Snapshot: Other Types Of Establishments
    Statistics (e.g. profitability ratio and operating receipts) for cafes, coffee houses, snack bars, coffee shops, eating houses and food courts.
    
    
• For more statistics and trends, please refer to the F&B Industry Statistics & Trends section.

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Government Programmes & Assistance

• Cafes, coffee houses & snack bars can tap into all of the programmes and assistance available to F&B establishments. For a full list of these, please refer to the F&B Programmes & Assistance section.

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Licences & Permits

Cafes, coffee houses & snack bars must obtain these licences and permits to operate or carry on certain business activities in Singapore.

Essential Licences & Licence Compliance

• Food Shop Licence
  Standalone cafes, coffee houses & snack bars are “food shops”. Anyone or any organisation that wishes to operate a food shop must have this licence.
  
  
• Food Stall Licence
  Cafes, coffee houses & snack bars operating out of food stalls within privately-owned food shops must obtain this licence.
  
  
• Points Demerit System For F&B Establishments
  Food shop and food stall licensees who violate environmental health regulations will get demerit points which may lead to licence suspension or revocation.

Other Licences & Permits For F&B-Related Activities

• You must obtain licences or permits to carry on certain activities. These activities, typically carried out by cafes, coffee houses & snack bars, require licences or permits:
  
  
  • importing processed food (e.g. food ingredients).
  • importing food containers (e.g. spoons and plastic bowls).
  • operating central kitchens or food factories.
  • playing copyright music.
  • placing TV sets in your outlet.
  • storing petro