Any person operating a restaurant, café, food court, or food and beverage service outlet in Kenya must hold a Restaurant Licence issued by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). Restaurants are classified under TRA Class “B” enterprises, which cover all food and beverage service providers. The licence is required under the Tourism Act, 2011, and TRA (Tourism Enterprises) Regulations, 2024, and must be obtained in addition to any county-level food hygiene licence and single business permit.
Restaurant licence fees for Class “B” enterprises are calculated based on the establishment’s annual gross receipts, making the fee structure scalable for businesses of different sizes.
Restaurant Licence Fees (TRA — Tourism Enterprises Regulations, 2024)
| Annual Gross Receipts | Application Fee (KES) | Annual Licence Fee (KES) |
|---|---|---|
| New restaurant (not previously traded) | 1,000 | 13,000 |
| Under KES 5 million | 1,000 | 13,000 |
| KES 5 million – KES 8 million | 1,000 | 16,500 |
| KES 8 million – KES 12 million | 1,000 | 24,000 |
| KES 12 million – KES 16 million | 1,000 | 31,500 |
| KES 16 million – KES 20 million | 1,000 | 39,000 |
| KES 20 million – KES 25 million | 1,000 | 46,000 |
| Over KES 25 million | 1,000 | 68,500 |
Additional Licences Required
| Licence | Issuing Authority |
|---|---|
| Food Hygiene Licence | County Public Health Department |
| Single Business Permit | County Government |
| Fire Safety Certificate | County Fire Department |
| Food Handler Certificates (per employee) | County Health Facility |
Contact: Tourism Regulatory Authority | tra.go.ke | trims.tourismauthority.go.ke | Tel: 0709 389 000
