Canteens are usually “food shops” providing food services at fixed locations (e.g. staff canteens inside corporate buildings).

Characteristics Of Canteens
Statistics & Trends
Government Programmes & Assistance
Licences & Permits
Laws & Regulations
Trade Associations
Key Government Agencies

Characteristics Of Canteens

• Canteens are usually “food shops”. They may be made up of several individual food stalls selling food and beverages. Typically, canteens:
  
  
  • provide food service to a closed group of customers (e.g. staff/students).
  • have fixed locations (e.g. inside schools or corporate buildings).

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Statistics & Trends

• Canteens have the second highest profitability ratio (6.7%). Here are some statistics and trends that you may be interested in:
  
  
  • Overview Of The F&B Industry
    The F&B sector, including canteens, contributed S$1.7 billion or 0.9% to Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2005.
    
    
  • Snapshot: Canteens
    A snapshot of the number of establishments, number of workers, operating receipts, profitability ratio, etc.
    
    
• For more statistics and trends, please refer to the F&B Industry Statistics & Trends section.

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Government Programmes & Assistance

• Canteens 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

Canteens must obtain these licences and permits to operate or carry on certain business activities in Singapore.

Essential Licences & Licence Compliance For Canteens

• Food Shop Licence
  Canteens are considered “food shops”. Anyone or any organisation that wishes to operate a canteen must have this licence.
  
  
• Food Stall Licence
  Individual food stall operators within canteens must obtain this licence unless they are merely employees of the food shop operator tasked with manning the food stall.
  
  
• 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 canteens, require licences or permits:
  
  
  • importing processed food (e.g. food ingredients)
  • operating central kitchens or food factories
  • playing copyright music
  • placing TV sets in your outlet
  • storing petroleum/flammable materials
    
    
• For a list of activities and the corresponding licences or permits required, please refer to the