Complete Guide 2026: Procedures & Cost to Setup a Cafe or Fast Food Restaurant in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh & Jeddah)
Do you want to open a successful cafe or fast food restaurant serving hot and cold drinks with light quick meals in Riyadh or Jeddah? This type of project is currently one of the most profitable and fastest-growing in Saudi Arabia, especially with the increasing demand for modern cafes, fast food restaurants, and delivery applications.
In this guide, you will learn about:
- Procedures for establishing a cafe or restaurant company in Saudi Arabia
- Setup and operational costs for 2026 (note that some fees are subject to change)
- Best neighborhoods and locations
- Operational and preparation steps
- The role of Deyafa Business in professionally establishing and operating your project
First: Government and Official Procedures in Saudi Arabia
Most procedures are now available online and can be easily completed electronically.
A. Establish the Company Electronically
You can establish the company via Meras Platform, which includes:
- Reserving the trade name
- Issuing the commercial register
- Authenticating the establishment contract
- Opening the establishment file
- Obtaining basic licenses
Suitable activities: Cafes and beverages, fast food, food and beverage services.
B. Registration with Government Entities
After obtaining the commercial register, you must register with:
- Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA)
- General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI)
- Qiwa Platform
- The Chamber of Commerce
- E-invoicing system
C. Choosing the Location and Lease Contract
Choosing the right location is one of the most important success factors for your project.
Best neighborhoods for cafes in Riyadh: Al Narjis, Al Malqa, Al Yasmin, Al Qairawan, Al Ghadeer, Al Rayyan, Al Waha.
Best areas for cafes in Jeddah: Tahlia Street, Al Rawdah, Al Salamah, Al Shati, Corniche, major malls.
The lease contract is documented via Ejar Platform.
D. Licenses and Permits
These include: Municipality license, activity license, Civil Defense approval, Food safety certificate, and establishment registration in the “Salamti” system via Balady Platform.
💰 Cost of Government and Official Procedures 2026
The total cost of government procedures and licenses during the first year ranges between 25,000 – 45,000 Saudi Riyals.
Important Note: Some government fees may vary from time to time due to updates in regulations from authorities such as the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, and Civil Defense. It is recommended to verify updated fees directly through government platforms (Meras, Balady, Civil Defense) before starting procedures.
Tip: You can complete most procedures online yourself to reduce processing agent fees.
Second: Cost of Building and Equipping the Cafe or Fast Food Restaurant
| Project Type | Area | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small Cafe | 30 – 60 m² | 200,000 – 400,000 SAR |
| Medium Cafe | 70 – 120 m² | 450,000 – 650,000 SAR |
| Medium Fast Food Restaurant | 100 – 150 m² | 600,000 – 900,000 SAR |
| Integrated Cafe + Fast Food | 150 m²+ | 900,000 – 1,300,000 SAR |
Third: Operational and Preparation Steps with the Role of “Deyafa Business”
1. Brand Identity Design – by Deyafa Business
Deyafa Business provides an integrated service including: Logo design and complete visual identity, brand color selection, professional menu design, packaging design (cups, bags, boxes), and uniform design. This helps your project compete and spread strongly from day one.
2. Interior Design and Space Preparation – by Deyafa Business
Successful design depends not only on aesthetics but also on customer comfort, optimal space utilization, ease of operation and service speed, and creating photo-ready corners for social media. Deyafa Business provides interior design and operational planning for cafes and restaurants.
3. Equipment Selection – by Deyafa Business
Essential equipment includes: Bar and coffee equipment (espresso machines, grinders), kitchen and fast food equipment (fryers, grills, ovens), refrigerators and freezers, and POS systems. Deyafa Business helps select suitable equipment based on project size and budget to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
4. Suppliers and Raw Materials – by Deyafa Business
Choosing the right suppliers ensures consistent quality, cost reduction, increased profit margins, waste reduction, and operational stability. Deyafa Business provides assistance in selecting the best certified suppliers for raw materials, equipment, and packaging.
5. Menu Design and Development – by Deyafa Business
The menu is one of the most important profitability elements. Services include: Menu engineering (selecting few high-profit items), product pricing based on market and cost analysis, recipe development tailored to Saudi tastes, and waste reduction. Deyafa Business prepares a professional menu that increases profit margins and reduces operational complexity.
6. Staffing and Training – by Deyafa Business
Deyafa Business offers comprehensive services in this area: assistance in selecting suitable staff (baristas, cashiers, customer service, cooks) and specialized training including barista training on high-quality coffee preparation, cashier training on POS systems and speed, customer service training, and kitchen team training on speed and hygiene, plus improving team efficiency through clear operational procedures.
7. Trial Operation and Opening – by Deyafa Business
The trial operation phase helps test service speed and product quality, discover operational issues, and train the team practically. Deyafa Business manages the Soft Opening and official launch professionally to ensure a strong start free of problems.
Fourth: Marketing and Commercial Operation
This includes: Social media management and advertising campaigns, professional product photography, launch marketing to attract the first 1000 customers, and managing delivery applications (Jahez, HungerStation, Mrsool, The Chefz). Deyafa Business helps build a strong marketing plan to increase sales and reach.
Fifth: Success Tips for Your Cafe or Fast Food Restaurant
- Choose the right location: A strong location can double sales.
- Build a professional brand: A strong identity helps expansion and spread.
- Focus on quality and service speed: Especially for fast food and cafes.
- Leverage delivery apps: They may account for more than 50% of sales.
- Monitor costs and profitability: Aim to maintain a gross profit margin between 55% – 68%.
Common Mistakes That Lead to Project Failure
- Choosing a weak location
- Expensive decor without proper study
- Overly large and complex menu
- Weak operational management
- Poor pricing strategy
- Not monitoring costs
- Complete reliance on labor without a clear operational system
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It starts from approximately 200,000 SAR and can exceed 1,300,000 SAR.
They range between 25,000 – 45,000 SAR in the first year, noting that some government fees may vary, so it is recommended to verify directly through government platforms.
Yes, some fees such as commercial register fees, municipal licenses, or Civil Defense may be updated periodically. Always check official platforms (Meras, Balady, Civil Defense) for the latest figures.
Yes, they are among the most profitable and fastest-growing projects, depending on operational quality, location selection, and proper management.
Typically 8 to 18 months depending on location strength, rent size, and operational quality.
Hybrid projects (cafe + light fast food) are currently among the most successful models due to higher average ticket size and customer diversity.
Small cafe: 3 – 6 employees, Medium cafe: 6 – 12 employees, Medium fast food restaurants: 10 – 18 employees.
Yes, Deyafa Business offers integrated services including: project study, brand identity design, interior design, equipment and supplier selection, menu design, staffing and training, trial operation, official launch, and operational development and franchising.
Yes, they have become essential. Some projects achieve more than 50% of their sales through apps like Jahez, HungerStation, Mrsool, and The Chefz.
📌 Conclusion
The success of your cafe or fast food restaurant project in Saudi Arabia depends not only on capital but on proper study, location selection, building a strong brand, and professional management. Partnering with Deyafa Business helps reduce errors and increase your project’s chances of success from start to expansion and franchising, through complete coverage of design, visual identity, equipment selection, staffing, and training services.
Final reminder: Since some government fees are subject to change, it is recommended to contact the relevant authorities or visit their electronic platforms for the latest fee schedule before starting establishment.
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