To legally open a coffee shop in China you need two core approvals: a Business License (营业执照) and a Food Business License (食品经营许可证) from the local AMR/SAMR; without both, you cannot sell beverages. Start by securing a compliant lease in a venue zoned for catering (餐饮), with a feasible flue route to the roof for a fume purifier (油烟净化器) and grease trap—ask landlord for property certificate and fire drawings, then pre-consult the AMR. Register your entity (WFOE, domestic company, or 个体工商户) and include “catering services (beverages)” in the business scope. Fit out to inspection standards: washable surfaces; separate raw/ready-to-eat workflows; dedicated handwash basin with sanitizer; 3-compartment sink for wash–rinse–sanitize; cold storage with thermometers and logs; pest-proofing; sealed chemical storage; extinguishers and emergency lights; allergen labels. Hire staff with valid health certificates (健康证). After equipment is installed and SOPs ready, apply for the Food Business License; inspectors check zoning, layout, hygiene, temperature control, traceability, and records. Typical timelines: locals 4–8 weeks; foreign-invested 8–12+. Fees are modest (
