How to open a F&B company in Singapore like top brands?

Most F&B businesses fail before they even open.

1. Not because the food isn’t good.
2. Not because of a bad location.

But because they didn’t set up the business right from the start.

The truth is: opening a restaurant, café, or food stall in Singapore isn’t just about having a great concept. It’s about navigating regulations, licenses, and logistics like a pro.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to:

• Set up your F&B company in Singapore the smart way
• Secure the right licenses (without delays or rejections)
• Avoid the costly mistakes most first-time founders make
• Go from concept to grand opening — in 6 clear steps

Let’s build your food business the right way, from day one.

1. Expert tips from successfull entrepreneurs

This insight comes from our clients who have successfully built strong F&B brands in their home countries and are now expanding into Southeast Asia, including Singapore.

Before launching your concept, take the time to research the market as both a customer and a strategist.

2. Why Singapore is the perfect launchpad for your F&B dreams

Singapore isn't just a food paradise for consumers. It's a goldmine for F&B entrepreneurs. 

McDonald's, Starbucks, Din Tai Fung, Burger & Lobster, 25 Degrees, Fong Sheng Hao, and Eggslut chose Singapore for a reason.

Here's why:

• Strategic location: As the gateway to Southeast Asia, Singapore offers access to over 650 million consumers in the region.
• Diverse market: With a multicultural population and millions of tourists annually, there's demand for virtually every cuisine and dining concept.
• Business-friendly environment: Singapore consistently ranks as one of the world's easiest places to do business, with streamlined processes and government support for entrepreneurs.
• Quality infrastructure: From world-class logistics to reliable utilities, Singapore provides the foundation for smooth operations.
• Vibrant dining scene: With over 1.3 million monthly visitors, Singapore’s world-famous gastronomy attracts millions who love to dine out, offering endless opportunities for F&B businesses to thrive.

Not that you know the key reasons so many famous brands set up a store in Singapore, we are ready to learn how to build your Food and Beverage brand presence in Singapore.

Let’s start with step one.

3. Step 1: Lay the foundation with market research and business planning

Before you sign a lease, hire a chef, or even choose a name, you need to understand the playground you’re entering.

Singapore’s F&B industry is massive, worth over  $28.92 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 18.70% from 2025 to 2030.

But the market is also fiercely competitive, with 30,000+ food establishments, you’re not just competing on taste. You’re competing on experience, branding, pricing, and speed.

3.1. Understand what is trending (Our insights)

To stand out, you need to ride the right wave. Here are 4 key trends shaping Singapore’s dining scene:

• Sustainability sells: More diners choose restaurants that offer eco-friendly packaging, reduce waste, or source locally.
• Tech is everywhere: Think QR code menus, AI-driven recommendations, and robotic servers. Efficiency and novelty go hand-in-hand.
• Health is wealth: Plant-based menus, low-sugar drinks, and keto options are on the rise.
• Dining = Entertainment: Customers want more than food. They want experiences worth sharing on Instagram and TikTok.

Pro Tip: Before committing to a concept, spend a weekend visiting high-traffic food courts, cafes, and niche restaurants. Take notes on pricing, packaging, staff behavior, and customer reactions. 

3.2. Define what makes you different

Singapore doesn’t need another generic café. It needs your Unique Value Proposition (UVP).

Ask yourself:

• What’s truly unique about your concept? (Is it a nostalgic menu? Speedy lunch service for office workers? A TikTok-friendly interior?)
• Who are your target customers? Families? Tourists? Working professionals? Gen Z foodies?
• What’s the problem you’re solving for them?
• Can you deliver profitably while remaining affordable?

 Example: “We’re the first plant-based Euro lunch bar targeting CBD office workers who want healthy, fast, and affordable meals under 12 minutes.”

Or you can learn from EggSlut,  a chef-driven, gourmet food concept that specializes in egg-centric dishes, particularly sandwiches. Eggslut's menu features a range of comfort food classics with a twist, all centered around the key ingredient: eggs. 

This unique approach of EggSlut makes an everyday ingredient stand out and become a fan-favorite with locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Seoul, Kuwait, and London

3.3. Build a business plan that guides, not gathers dust

A business plan isn’t just for raising funds. It helps you stay focused when chaos hits — and it will.

Here’s what to include:

Financial projections

Break down your numbers clearly:

• Startup costs: S$50,000–S$500,000 depending on your concept (hawker vs. café vs. full-service restaurant)
• Monthly expenses: Rent, staff salaries, inventory, utilities, marketing
• Revenue dorecast: Estimate based on expected foot traffic and average order value (e.g. 100 customers/day x S$12 = S$1,200/day)

Funding options

Don’t rely on savings alone. Consider:

• Self-funding: From personal savings or friends/family
• Business loans: DBS, UOB, and OCBC all offer F&B-specific loan packages
• Government grants: Enterprise Singapore supports innovation, digitalisation, and manpower training
• Investors: Angel investors and food-focused VCs may fund scalable or franchisable concepts

This step is the most important; it can make or break your business. Once your research is solid and your business plan is clear, you’re ready to move on to Step 2: Register your company and license.

4. Step 2: Register your F&B business in Singapore

You’ve got the concept. The business plan is solid. Now it’s time to make your business real.

Incorporating your company isn’t just a formality — it gives you credibility, access to funding, and legal protection. And in Singapore, the process is surprisingly efficient (if you know what to do).

If you are Not a Singapore resident , you must work with  with corporate service company (CSP) like Global Link Asia Consulting. We can help you open a F&B business the right way in Singapore

4.1. Choose the right business structure

For most serious F&B founders, the best structure is a Private Limited Company (Pte. Ltd.). Here’s why it’s the go-to option:

1. Limited liability – Your personal assets are protected if the business runs into trouble
2. Corporate tax perks – 17% flat rate, with generous tax rebates for startups
3.  Higher trust – Landlords, banks, and suppliers take you more seriously
4. Easier to scale – You can issue shares, bring in partners, or raise capital later

Avoid Sole Proprietorships unless you're running a very small side hustle — they offer zero liability protection and less credibility in the F&B space.

4.2. Reserve your company name

Visit ACRA’s BizFile+ portal

Make sure your name:

1. Reflects your concept
2. Isn’t too similar to existing companies
3. Doesn’t contain restricted words like “bank,” “law,” etc.
4. Include keywords that hint at your niche (e.g., “GreenBowl Vegan Café Pte. Ltd.”) for branding clarity.

4.3.  Prepare key documents

Get these ready before filing:

• Company Constitution (formerly called M&AA) – outlines your company’s internal rules
• Details of shareholders and directors
• Details of nominee director, secretary, etc.
• Registered local office address (cannot be a P.O. box)

4.4. Meet ACRA’s Legal Requirements

To incorporate in Singapore, you must have:

1. At least one local director (Singapore citizen, PR, or EP holder)
2. A qualified Corporate Secretary appointed within 6 months of incorporation
3. A registered address (can be a co-working space or service office)

Timeframe: Incorporation usually takes 1-2 business days once everything’s in order.

4.5. Visa options to run your F&B business in Singapore

If you plan to relocate and run operations locally, here are your visa choices:

1. Employment Pass (EP) – For professionals with a job offer (often your own company)
2. EntrePass – Designed for innovative startups, especially in tech or unique F&B concepts
3. Investor Visa (GIP) – For entrepreneurs investing significant capital into Singapore’s economy

 Pro Tip: The EntrePass is ideal if you’re launching something disruptive (e.g., sustainable packaging, F&B tech, or a new cuisine category).

5. Step 3: Get Licensed

This is where a lot of aspiring F&B owners hit a wall.

But don’t worry, getting licensed isn’t as complicated as it seems if you follow the right steps.

We’ll break it down into must-haves, nice-to-haves, and specialty add-ons.

5.1. Your core license: The SFA Food shop license

If you’re serving food in Singapore, The SFA Food shop license is non-negotiable.

SFA license for Lady M confections

Whether you're running a restaurant, café, kiosk, catering biz, or food stall, you need to apply for a Food Shop Licence from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).

To apply for an SFA license, you must

• Go to the GoBusiness portal
• Submit:
  • Tenancy agreement
  • Layout/floor plan
  • Food safety certifications (e.g., FSC Level 1)
• Schedule an SFA inspection of your premises
• Pass inspection, receive approval, and pay the licensing fee

The approval timeline is typically 4–6 weeks if all documents are submitted correctly.

We suggest you should not renovate your space until your layout plan is approved. Modifications can delay inspections.

5.2. Mandatory certifications for staff

To legally operate, your team must be trained in food hygiene and safety.

FSC Level 1 – For all food handlers

1. One-day course (basic food safety & hygiene)
2. Cost: S$40–60 per person
3. Must be completed before your staff start handling food

FSC Level 3 – For food hygiene officers

1. Required if you're running a restaurant, catering service, or food court
2. Three-day course (advanced food safety management)
3. Cost: S$200–300
4. At least one certified officer per outlet is required

5.3. Other licenses you might need

Not every business needs all of these, but if you fall into certain categories, these are critical.

6. Step 5: Launch & grow your F&B brand in Singappore

Your licenses are approved. Your team is trained. Your ingredients are in the fridge.
Now comes the most exciting — and nerve-wracking — part: launching.

Here are some of the tactics that our clients use for their restaurants, cafe shops in Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia. These marketing tactics are not new, but they are effective, and your team can implement right away.

6.1. Marketing your grand opening

• Post teasers and behind-the-scenes videos on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
• Partner with local food bloggers and micro-influencers — offer them a preview tasting
• Host a VIP night for media, friends, and key supporters
• Use a countdown timer on Instagram Stories to build hype as launch day nears.

6.2. Opening day strategy

• Offer limited-time discounts or a freebie with purchase
• Ensure staffing levels are higher than usual to handle the crowd
• Collect customer feedback and emails/phone numbers for future promos
• Set up a Google My Business, Judge.me profile so customers can find you (and leave reviews) from Day 1.

6.3. Level Up Your Digital Marketing

1. Post high-quality photos of your foods, your staff, and your day-to-day opening (invest in a good camera or food photographer)
2. Engage daily through polls, stories, and replies to customer comments

6.4. Tax & Legal obligations

Operating a business in Singapore comes with key compliance requirements. These 3 tax compliance you must know are:

1. GST Registration: Required if revenue exceeds S$1 million/year
2. Corporate Income Tax: File with IRAS annually
3. Withholding Tax: Applicable when paying non-resident vendors or consultants

7. Step 5: Scale your success

Your first F&B outlet is running smoothly. You’ve built a loyal customer base, nailed your operations, and have strong financials.

Now it’s time to ask the big question:

Are you ready to grow — and grow smart?

Here’s how to scale strategically without burning out or losing control.

7.1. Open a second outlet (Only when you are ready)

Many first-time F&B founders jump to expansion too early. To build a successful food or beverage chain, you have to learn from the top players

When Shake Shack entered Singapore, they didn’t rush into opening multiple outlets. Instead, they launched a single flagship at Jewel Changi — a high-footfall location perfect for brand awareness and testing local demand.

Only after proving their concept with long queues, consistent sales, and local buzz did they expand to Orchard Road, VivoCity, and other strategic spots.

Image from SHIRO ANG

Behind the scenes, they had:

A proven concept

• Consistent customer demand
• Strong unit economics (profitable after rent, staff, and food costs)

Operational playbooks

• Documented SOPs for front- and back-of-house
• Clear inventory tracking, ordering schedules, and quality control processes

Extra capital

• Expansion often costs as much or more than your first outlet
• Budget for fit-out, staff hiring, training, and initial marketing

Our expert tip is you can try first a pop-up or short-term lease before fully committing to a second location.

Franchise your brand the right way

Franchising can be a powerful growth model — if you systemize everything.

1. Create an Operations Manual with recipes, brand guidelines, and service standards
2. Develop franchisee training programs covering daily operations, marketing, and finance
3. Offer ongoing support systems (supplier network, marketing assets, helpdesk)

We suggest you register your brand trademark before franchising to protect your IP.

8. Common pitfalls to avoid when launching an F&B business in Singapore

Even the best food concepts can fail if you fall into these avoidable traps. Here are top 5 pitfalls that our clients, who build a successful F&B business in their country, but fail to build the same success in Singapore, share:

8.1. Underestimating startup costs

Always budget 20–30% more than your initial projections.

Finance is 80% of what makes your business sustainable and successful.

Unexpected expenses, from licensing delays to renovation hiccups, are common in F&B. A healthy buffer keeps your business from stalling before it even opens.

You should not rely on great products in your menu that customers love to order, but only incur loss costs.

8.2. Ignoring the competition

Don’t assume great food is enough; study your competitors and adapt fast.

Foreign business owners often don't have enough knowledge of the Singapore gastronomy market. The F&B scene in Singapore evolves quickly. You must monitor what’s working nearby and be ready to tweak your menu, pricing, or service model.

8.3. Skimping on staff training

A great team doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with intentional training.

Poor service ruins even the best meals. Invest in clear SOPs, regular food safety training, and customer service refreshers.

8.4. Choosing the wrong location

Don’t pick a cheaper location just to save rent. It could cost you more in lost traffic.

Prioritize visibility, foot traffic, and accessibility. A well-placed outlet often pays for itself in consistent walk-ins. Orchard, Jewel Changi, Bugis, Tanjong Pagar  may be your perfect location to start researching first.

8.5. Underinvesting in Marketing

If no one hears about your launch, no one shows up.

Set aside a real marketing budget for influencer collaborations, delivery platform ads, and content creation, and you must invest always in your marketing effort.

A strong opening week can give you the momentum to survive the slow ones. Even so, most restaurant owners can not even survive the first years, or 2-3 years after.

Starting an F&B business in Singapore is challenging but rewarding. Here's your action plan:

1. Research Phase (Month 1-2): Conduct thorough market research and finalize your concept
2. Planning Phase (Month 3): Complete business plan and secure funding
3. Legal Setup (Month 4): Incorporate the company and begin license applications
4. Setup Phase (Month 5-6): Secure location, renovate, hire staff, and obtain final approvals
5. Launch Phase (Month 7): Soft opening, grand opening, and initial marketing push

9. How can we help you open a food and beverage company in Singapore?

Launching a food & beverage outlet in Singapore can be complex, but we make it simple. From concept to soft launch, we provide a full-suite solution so you can focus on building a standout brand, while we handle the groundwork.

• Register a company in Singapore;
• Open a corporate bank account in Singapore with a 99% success rate;
• Choose the right company types for tax optimization in Singapore;
• Apply for Singapore business licenses;
• Get an affordable, professional registered office address for your business;
• Support to open, authenticate, and manage Stripe Paypal Business in Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S;
• Handle all your tax accounting needs, timely annual filings, auditing, and more.

10. FAQs about F&B business in Singapore

With over a decade of experience serving as a trusted partner to more than 750 business owners seeking professional development and breakthroughs in the international market, we are an  expert strategic corporate service provider helping you incorporate and operate successfully in 10 different countries

Our areas of expertise include:

• Strategic Consulting and Company formation in over 10 different countries worldwide such as Singapore, Hong Kong, the U.S., Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, and offshore destinations like BVI, Belize, Seychelles, and more.
• Account opening for personal and corporate bank accounts, as well as setting up PayPal and Stripe gateqays in countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S..
• Tax Consulting and Preparation for SFRS IFRS financial reports, corporate income tax returns, VAT/GST (Value Added Tax/Goods and Services Tax), and more.
• Opreation support:
• Registered adress;
• Foreign consular legalization;
• Trademark and patent protection registration in Singapore and the US;
• Employment Pass application in Singapore and Hong Kong;
• Website design, international SIM number provision;
• DUNS registration.

With over 10 years of experience and a team of experts with 5 to 25 years of experience (international standard certifications) as well as direct partnerships with institutions such as OCBC, UOB, DBS, PayPal, and Stripe, we are proud to offer professional, legal, transparent, sustainable services with no hidden costs.

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