Question 1

Do you need planning permission to open a takeaway?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases. A hot food takeaway is a sui generis use in England, outside Class E, so converting a shop or café needs planning permission. Under policy HC5 of the National Planning Policy Framework published in September 2026, councils are to refuse new takeaways within reasonable walking distance of schools unless the site is within a designated town centre.

Question 2

How much does it cost to open a takeaway?

Accepted Answer

No official average exists. Equipment alone runs from about £6,000 to £40,000 plus VAT by tier, roughly half of the total fit-out; an installed extraction system was quoted at about £6,725 plus VAT; and one fitted takeaway was offered with a £90,000 premium.

Question 3

Do takeaways need a licence?

Accepted Answer

Food business registration with the council is free and due 28 days before opening. Selling hot food or hot drinks between 11pm and 5am also needs a premises licence for late night refreshment, costing £100 to £635 to apply and £70 to £350 a year depending on rateable value.

Question 4

How much does a takeaway make in the UK?

Accepted Answer

It varies widely. Takeaways offered for sale report from about £3,000 to £6,000 a week. On illustrative figures, a takeaway taking £4,000 a week leaves its owner about £895 a week after VAT, food, a delivery commission, wages and rent.

Question 5

Is VAT charged on takeaway food?

Accepted Answer

Hot takeaway food is standard-rated at 20%. Most cold takeaway food is zero-rated, except confectionery, crisps, ice cream and soft drinks, which are always standard-rated. Registration is compulsory above £90,000 of taxable turnover.

Question 6

How often does a takeaway need its extraction cleaned?

Accepted Answer

The standard is TR19 Grease, which sets cleaning frequency by hours of use, and insurance policies usually set a minimum frequency of their own. Without a valid cleaning certificate, an insurer can refuse a fire claim.

Question 7

How much do delivery apps charge takeaways?

Accepted Answer

Uber Eats publishes 30% with its couriers and 13% when the takeaway delivers. 2026 comparisons put Just Eat at about 14% on own delivery and about 30% with its riders, and Deliveroo at about 20% to 35%. Commission is invoiced plus VAT.

Question 8

Is it easier to open a takeaway as a franchise?

Accepted Answer

A franchise supplies a brand, a menu, suppliers, a kitchen specification and training, and usually approves the site. It still needs takeaway planning permission, and it adds an initial fee and ongoing fees, commonly 5% to 8% of turnover plus 1% to 3% for marketing. At 6% plus 2%, a franchised takeaway needs about 16% more takings to leave the owner the same as an independent one.

Question 9

What happens if a takeaway gets a low hygiene rating?

Accepted Answer

The business can fix the problems and request a re-rating visit. In England many councils charge for it, from £183 to £371.32 in the examples above, and the visit can take up to three months. Delivery apps set minimum ratings for listing.

Question 10

How many orders does a takeaway need to break even?

Accepted Answer

On illustrative figures, with about £1,077 a week of fixed costs and about 49p left from each £1 of takings after VAT, food, delivery commission and card fees, a takeaway needs about 87 orders of £25 a week to break even, and about 160 to pay its owner about £895 a week.

Question 11

Do you need a licence to sell takeaway food late in Scotland?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Selling food to the public between 11pm and 5am in Scotland needs a late hours catering licence under section 42 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. Councils set the fee, such as £263 in East Ayrshire or £300.30 for a new grant in Angus, and their own policy hours.

Question 12

What fast food franchises are available in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Fast food brands listed on L'Express Franchise include Kokoko Rotisserie, Griolladh, Zendoner, Chicken Cottage, SpudBros Express, Chikin Bang and Amigos Burgers & Shakes, with liquid capital from £35,000 to £170,000 on their listings.

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