Opening a restaurant, dhaba, or cafe in Punjab? Before you serve customers, you need a licence from the Punjab Food Authority (PFA). This guide explains how to register a restaurant with Punjab Food Authority, what it costs, how long it takes, and what happens if you skip it.
Registration or Licence: What Is the Difference?
Many people say “PFA registration,” but for a restaurant the official document is a food business licence. PFA uses the word “registration” mainly for food products. If you run an eatery, the licence is what you need. It is valid for one year and must be renewed every year.
Who Needs a PFA Licence?
Every food business in Punjab needs one. This includes restaurants, dhabas, cafes, bakeries, shops that sell food, food factories, and online food businesses. Running a food business without a licence is against the Punjab Food Authority Act, 2011.
What You Need Before You Apply
PFA asks for three simple things:
- A photo of the applicant (you)
- A photo of your CNIC, front and back
- A photo of the business premises
You should apply once your restaurant is ready and running. A PFA team has to visit the place and check it before the fee is decided.
How to Register a Restaurant: Step by Step
Step 1: Check Your Licence Category First (Optional but Smart)
PFA has an online licence category calculator at cell.pfa.gop.pk. It shows which grade your restaurant falls in, so you know the fee in advance. Answer honestly, because the team will verify your answers on site.
Step 2: Start Your Application
Apply through the official Punjab Food Authority app on an Android phone, through the PFA online portal, or at a PFA one-window counter. Choose “Apply for License” and enter your details. You will get a verification code to confirm your number.
Step 3: Enter Your Business Details
Add the business name, city, town, full address, and other business details. Then upload the three photos.
Step 4: Wait for the Verification Visit
A Food Safety Team or an Enforcement Team will visit your restaurant to check the premises. Keep the kitchen clean and your staff ready, since this visit is part of the process.
Step 5: Receive Your Fee by SMS and Pay It
After the visit, PFA sends an SMS with the fee amount. You can pay it at an Allied Bank branch or through EasyPaisa. Keep the payment receipt.
Step 6: Get Your Licence
You can receive the licence by courier at your business address, collect it from the one-window counter, or download it from your business profile. PFA says it processes applications within about 7 working days and sends the licence for printing and dispatch within about 15 days after that.
PFA Licence Fee for Restaurants
The fee depends on your restaurant’s grade, from A (smallest) to I (largest). These are the rates for eateries in the PFA fee schedule that was still in use when it was last checked in September 2026:
| Grade | Yearly Fee for Eateries |
|---|---|
| A | Rs. 1,500 |
| B | Rs. 4,000 |
| C | Rs. 10,000 |
| D | Rs. 20,000 |
| E | Rs. 35,000 |
| F | Rs. 50,000 |
| G | Rs. 75,000 |
| H | Rs. 100,000 |
| I | Rs. 150,000 |
Fees can change when PFA issues a new notification. Use the official calculator or ask PFA before you pay, and do not rely on a figure from a blog alone.
How PFA Decides Your Grade
PFA scores your restaurant using a fixed list of questions. For eateries, these include:
- Money invested and value of stock
- Average sales per day
- Monthly rent
- Number of employees
- Number of seats
- Location
- Number of items on the menu
- Monthly utility bills
Daily sales carry the most weight, so a busier restaurant usually lands in a higher grade. For example, in one recent test of the calculator, the smallest possible dhaba came out at grade A, while a small dhaba with about 16 to 25 seats and a menu of 6 to 10 items next to a main road came out at grade C. Giving false information to PFA is a separate offence under the Act.
How Long Is the Licence Valid?
One year. You must renew it every year and pay the fee again. Set a reminder a month before it ends, so you never operate with an expired licence.
Category Certificate: Display It for Customers
PFA may also grade your restaurant on how well it meets food safety standards. If it does, it issues a category certificate. You must display this certificate where customers can see it. If you disagree with the grade, you can appeal within 60 days.
What Happens If You Run Without a Licence?
The penalties are serious. Under the Punjab Food Authority Act, 2011:
- A court can order jail from 3 days up to 1 year, and a fine from Rs. 10,000 up to Rs. 500,000.
- A second conviction doubles the jail term and fine, adds a further fine, and can cancel your licence.
- PFA can also suspend or cancel a licence and fine a business up to Rs. 1 million, after giving the owner a hearing.
- You have 15 days from such an order to appeal to the Appellate Authority.
A Recent Law Change You Should Know
The Punjab Food Safety Laws (Amendment) Act, 2026 was published on 10 September 2026. It did not change the licence fees or the penalties above. It placed PFA under a new Food Safety and Consumer Protection Department, and it gave the Appellate Authority more power to review PFA decisions.
Other Rules Restaurant Owners Should Check
A PFA licence is only one requirement. Depending on your restaurant’s size and type, you may also need to follow Punjab’s rules on computerised receipts and register for sales tax with FBR. Check these separately, so nothing surprises you after opening.
Beware of Fake PFA Notices
PFA’s own website warns about a fake advertisement that is going around online and says PFA has nothing to do with it. Use only the official PFA website, its portal at cell.pfa.gop.pk, and its official apps. Pay fees only through the channels PFA gives you after the verification visit, and never send money to a personal account.
Tips for a Smooth Licence Process
- Run the category calculator first, so the fee does not surprise you.
- Keep your kitchen clean and organised before the inspection visit.
- Take clear photos of yourself, your CNIC, and your restaurant.
- Generate only one payment challan. If you create extra ones by mistake, write to PFA to have them removed.
- Track your licence status on the PFA portal instead of visiting the office repeatedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a PFA licence for a small dhaba or tea stall?
Yes. Every food business in Punjab needs a licence. The smallest eateries pay the lowest grade fee.
How much is the PFA licence fee for a restaurant?
It ranges from Rs. 1,500 for grade A to Rs. 150,000 for grade I, depending on your restaurant’s size and sales.
Which documents do I need?
A photo of yourself, both sides of your CNIC, and a photo of your business.
How long does it take to get the licence?
PFA states about 7 working days for processing, plus up to 15 days for printing and dispatch.
Can I apply before my restaurant opens?
PFA says you apply once the business is running, because its team must visit and see the premises.
Is the licence for life?
No. It is valid for one year and must be renewed every year.
Registering a restaurant with Punjab Food Authority comes down to a few photos, an honest answer to the grading questions, and a verification visit. Get your licence before you open, renew it every year, and you can focus on serving good food.
