Last updated: 17 September 2026
Quick Answer: A cloud kitchen needs FSSAI registration at ₹100 a year up to ₹1.5 crore turnover, or a State licence at ₹5,000 a year above that. FSSAI treats delivery-only kitchens as restaurants, and a Central licence at ₹7,500 a year applies above ₹50 crore. You apply on the FoSCoS portal.
The FSSAI licence for a cloud kitchen belongs to the kitchen's premises, not your brand names, so several brands from one kitchen share it. Licences issued since 1 April 2026 don't expire, but the fee is due every year, and delivery platforms can list only kitchens with a valid FSSAI number.
Overview
| Point | What applies to a cloud kitchen |
|---|---|
| Authority | Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), on its Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal |
| Category to pick | "Restaurants" (covers take-out and delivery-only kitchens) |
| Licence and fee | Set by annual turnover: ₹100, ₹5,000 or ₹7,500 a year |
| Validity | No expiry for licences issued on or after 1 April 2026, while the yearly fee is paid |
| Time to issue | Registration within 7 days, licence within 60 days, of a complete application |
Which FSSAI licence does a cloud kitchen need?
A cloud kitchen needs registration up to ₹1.5 crore turnover, a State licence up to ₹50 crore and a Central licence above that. It applies under Restaurants, which FSSAI's Kind of Business list says includes kitchens that "offer only take-out and delivery". The bands follow the revised turnover thresholds FSSAI set from 1 April 2026.
| Your cloud kitchen | What you need | Form | Fee per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore | FSSAI basic registration | Form A | ₹100 |
| Turnover above ₹1.5 crore, up to ₹50 crore | State licence | Form B | ₹5,000 |
| Turnover above ₹50 crore | Central licence | Form B | ₹7,500 |
| Kitchens in two or more states | A licence or registration for each kitchen, plus a Central licence for the head office | Form B (head office) | ₹7,500 (head office) |
Just starting out? Go by the sales you realistically expect in your first year.
Can you run a cloud kitchen from home?
Yes, but it still needs FSSAI registration or a licence. FSSAI's FAQ says cloud kitchens with no seating must register or get licensed, using the same turnover bands, with your home as the declared premises.
Does each kitchen or brand need its own FSSAI licence?
Each kitchen needs its own, but brands don't. FSSAI's licensing FAQ says a licence is based on the premises and covers every food business activity carried on there.
- Several brands, one kitchen: one licence or registration covers them. Add up the sales of every brand cooked there when you check your turnover band.
- Two or more kitchens: each premises is licensed separately, based on its own turnover. Regulation 2.1.5 lets a licensing authority issue one licence for premises in the same local area, so ask your authority before applying twice.
What does a cloud kitchen pay for FSSAI each year?
An FSSAI licence for a cloud kitchen carries the same fee every year: ₹100 for registration, ₹5,000 for a State licence or ₹7,500 for a Central licence. FSSAI lets you pay for any number of years at once, at any time of the year.
Licences issued on or after 1 April 2026 stay valid unless suspended, cancelled or surrendered, so there's no renewal. But miss the annual fee and the licence is "deemed suspended" until you pay, and trading meanwhile counts as non-compliant. If your licence was issued before 1 April 2026, check its status on FoSCoS.
What documents does a cloud kitchen need for FSSAI?
For registration (Form A), you give your photograph, a photo ID, the kitchen address and the food you'll sell. A State or Central licence (Form B) asks for more:
- Form B signed by the owner, a partner or an authorised signatory
- Photo ID and address proof of the owner, partners or directors
- A layout plan of the kitchen
- Proof you can use the premises, such as a rent agreement or electricity bill
- A partnership deed or company documents, if you're not a sole owner
- A municipal or local-body NOC, where FoSCoS asks for one
FoSCoS shows the exact list for Restaurants when you apply.
What mistakes do cloud kitchens make with FSSAI?
Avoid these four, which lead to the wrong licence or a suspended one:
- Using the old ₹12 lakh and ₹20 crore limits, which were replaced on 1 April 2026.
- Counting one brand's sales instead of the whole kitchen's.
- Opening a second kitchen on the first kitchen's licence without asking the licensing authority.
- Missing the yearly fee, which suspends the licence.
What do delivery platforms check before listing a cloud kitchen?
Your FSSAI number comes first. FSSAI's FAQ says even a platform that only lists food businesses must list only those with a valid licence or registration. The number has 14 digits: a licence starts with 1 and a registration with 2.
Platforms usually also ask for your PAN, bank details, GST registration if you have one, and your menu. For help with the sign-up itself, there's assisted delivery-platform partner registration.
How do you apply for a cloud kitchen's FSSAI licence?
You apply online on FoSCoS: choose your state, pick Restaurants, fill Form A or Form B, upload documents and pay the fee. You'll get a 17-digit reference number to track the application. If you'd rather not file it alone, Jaagruk Bharat offers help filing your FSSAI registration or licence with you on FoSCoS, while FSSAI still issues it. More food and FSSAI guides are listed here.
