To operate a restaurant in a lawful and stable manner, investors are required to complete a number of legal procedures from the preparation stage. First, the appropriate business form must be determined, which may be a household business, a domestic enterprise, or a foreign-invested enterprise, depending on the scale and business orientation.

Next, the business entity must register its business lines in accordance with regulations applicable to food and beverage services. In parallel, the preparation of facilities plays a critical role, including the business premises, layout drawings, one-way kitchen design, areas for food processing, storage and service, as well as the fire prevention and firefighting system and related management documentation as required by law. Once the facilities are properly completed, the restaurant must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for Food Safety.

In cases where alcoholic beverages or tobacco products are sold, the corresponding licenses must also be obtained. Finally, the business is required to complete tax registration, social insurance registration, open a bank account, and display the business signboard in compliance with applicable regulations in order to officially commence operations.