How to Open A Restaurant in Thailand 2025 Update

How to Open a Restaurant in Thailand: A 2025 Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Opening a restaurant in Thailand is more than just finding a space and perfecting your menu. It’s about aligning your dream with the legal, structural, and licensing frameworks that govern the food industry here.

To successfully open a restaurant in Thailand, it’s crucial to understand the local market and cultural nuances.

Whether you’re planning a fine-dining concept, a trendy café, or a small family-run eatery, getting the setup right from the beginning saves time, money—and unnecessary headaches.

Researching how to open a restaurant in Thailand will help you avoid common pitfalls.

At Act & Align Advisor, we work closely with clients from the first consultation to the grand opening. This guide walks you through the core steps of opening a restaurant legally in Thailand, updated with the latest info for 2025.

Our expertise can guide you through the specifics on how to open a restaurant in Thailand effectively.

Step 1: Can Foreigners Open a Restaurant in Thailand?

Yes, you can. But it’s important to understand that, under Thai law, certain business categories are restricted for foreign ownership. Restaurants fall into a category that requires some structuring to ensure compliance.

Understanding the legalities of how to open a restaurant in Thailand is essential for foreign entrepreneurs.

The most common solution is setting up a Thai Limited Company with 51% Thai shareholder ownership. This doesn’t mean you lose control—there are legal ways to structure the company properly so you retain management power and profit rights while staying compliant with the Foreign Business Act.

For those eligible, options like BOI promotion or the U.S. Treaty of Amity can offer full foreign ownership—but these aren’t available to everyone and typically apply to niche restaurant models or large-scale projects.

If you’re wondering how to open a restaurant in Thailand, consulting with experts can simplify the process.

Our tip: Focus on building the right foundation first. Ownership structures can be optimised legally and securely, we help you do that step by step.

Step 2: Company Setup – Building the Legal Foundation

Knowing how to open a restaurant in Thailand involves navigating various regulations.

Once your ownership structure is clear, the next step is registering your company. This process involves several layers but is quite straightforward when managed correctly.

Here’s what the process typically looks like:

Company name reservation – You’ll propose a few names, and the Department of Business Development (DBD) will approve one that’s available.
Prepare the company documents – These include your shareholder list, objectives, registered address, and capital.
Register with the DBD – Once the paperwork is filed and approved, your company is legally established.
Tax ID and VAT registration – If your projected income exceeds 1.8 million THB/year (very likely for restaurants), VAT registration is mandatory.
Social Security registration – Required if you plan to hire employees, which most restaurants do.

Minimum capital requirement: If you plan to apply for a work permit, your company needs at least 2 million THB registered capital per foreigner and at least 4 Thai staff per foreign employee.

Check our company setting up service and have a free consultation with our expert.

Step 3: Food Shop License – A Non-Negotiable Requirement

Every restaurant, regardless of size, must obtain a Food Shop License (ใบอนุญาตประกอบกิจการร้านอาหาร) from the local district office. This is a critical step, and it’s often where first-time business owners feel overwhelmed.

Obtaining a Food Shop License is a critical step in how to open a restaurant in Thailand.

To apply, you’ll need to submit:

A layout of the restaurant
Details of your kitchen equipment
Sanitation and ventilation plans
Building usage certification
Waste management system
Photos of your premises

The local officer will inspect your premises before issuing the license, and they’ll check everything—from how your food is stored to how your waste is managed. If your building isn’t zoned properly, or your kitchen doesn’t meet hygiene standards, they may request changes or reject the application.

This is why we always recommend choosing your location after confirming it’s legally suitable for restaurant use.

Additional Licenses You Might Need

Additional licenses are also important to consider when you plan to open a restaurant in Thailand. Depending on your concept, you might need more than just the basic food license.

Here are the most common add-ons:

License	When It’s Required
Alcohol License	If you plan to serve beer, wine, or spirits. Issued by the Excise Department.
Music License	Required if you play music (even background). You’ll need to register with music rights holders like GMM or RS.
Building Use Certificate	If you’re renovating or using a space not originally zoned for commercial/restaurant use.
Signboard Tax Registration	For signage displayed outside your restaurant. Must be registered with your local district office.

These aren’t complicated—but the timing matters. Applying too early (or without the right layout or building approvals) can lead to unnecessary delays.

These tips can help you efficiently open a restaurant in Thailand and ensure compliance.

Before You Open: Real-World Tips

After helping many clients open food businesses across Thailand, here are some practical suggestions to help you avoid common pitfalls:

By following guidelines on how to open a restaurant in Thailand, you can create a successful venture.

1. Don’t rush the soft opening
It’s tempting to open while waiting for the license, but this can backfire. District officers do site visits unannounced. If you’re found operating without a license, you risk fines or worse—closure.

2. Check building permissions early
Not every commercial space can legally operate a restaurant. Some buildings, especially condos or shared-use buildings, have zoning restrictions. Always double-check before signing a lease.

3. Plan your staff strategy early
Finding reliable kitchen and service staff takes time. Make sure contracts, social security registration, and training plans are in place before hiring.

4. Work with someone who speaks Thai
Even if you speak the language, having a professional who knows how to deal with local officers, forms, and compliance details makes a big difference.

5. Check out the restaurant Industry Trends 2025

Here are several up-to-date sources (2024–2025) outlining key restaurant industry trends to watch in 2025:

1. Sustainability & Value Focus

2. Technology & Automation

3. AI and Smart Systems

4. Automation in Service

5. Ghost Kitchens & Delivery Formats

6. Menu Innovation & Exotic Proteins

7. Fine Dining Adapting

Referral: Thaifex

Understanding the market is key to knowing how to open a restaurant in Thailand.

Why Work With Act & Align Advisor?

Setting up a restaurant in Thailand isn’t difficult when you have the right partner.

Partnering with experienced advisors can streamline how to open a restaurant in Thailand.

We help you:

Structure your company properly
A well-structured company is vital for how to open a restaurant in Thailand successfully.
Handle the licensing process from end to end
Prepare visa and work permit applications
Communicate with local authorities
Ensure you launch with peace of mind