Starting your own restaurant or cafe? There are heaps of legal considerations that come into play – from specific licences, permits, food regulations and commercial leases. Our legal team specialises in helping business in the food industry – get in touch to learn more.
If you're starting a restaurant or cafe, you'll need to enter into a Commercial Lease Agreement. This agreement should set out key matters like the duration of your lease, the kind of business activities you're allowed to conduct on the premises, sub-letting rights, and how you can extend or terminate the lease.
It's important that you get a legal professional to review your Commercial Lease for you before you finalise anything as certain terms can restrict your business plans. For example, you want to ensure that your lease allows you to conduct business on the premises as a cafe (under the 'permitted use' clause).
This way, you can be supported in your negotiation of those terms.
Here are some key things you should look out for in a cafe or restaurant lease.
At a national level, food businesses need to comply with the Food Act 2014, as well as the Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code.
In addition to this, your cafe or restaurant will need to have a food control plan or national programme, and anyone working in the business will need to have undergone training in food safety.
