
The
catering industry in Switzerland is a developed field of activity, which represents an important sector of the
Swiss economy. Investors interested in
company formation in Switzerland in this field must know that at the level of 2015, the activities of the
catering industry generated a VAT taxable income of CHF 28.4 billion. The
catering industry is represented by numerous types of activities, most of the
companies operating as
fast-food units or restaurants. According to the data provided by latest census performed by the
Federal Statistical Office on the
tourism industry (2013),
Switzerland has a total number of
28,806 hotels and restaurants units. In order to perform business activities in these fields, the investors will need business permits, on which
our team of company formation representatives in Switzerland can offer more details.
Register a catering company in Switzerland
A catering business in Switzerland is registered following the same legal procedures applicable to any other type of commercial legal entity.
In order to
open a company in Switzerland as a
catering business, the investors will first need to register with the
Commercial Registry and to establish a
corporate bank account.
Depending on th
e legal entity chosen for
incorporation, the investors will have to deposit in the
corporate bank account the minimum share capital, as prescribed by the applicable regulations.
The
company’s business form will be established in front of a
public notary in Switzerland, by drafting the
company’s statutory documents. As a general rule, most of the businesses in
Switzerland, including
catering businesses, are registered as
limited liability companies, in which case the investors will need to draft the
articles of association and the memorandum.
Our team of company formation agents in Switzerland can offer more details on this subject, including the fees that are to be paid during this procedure.
Licenses for catering companies in Switzerland
Companies operating as catering providers will need to receive special permits and licenses for their specific activities.
The procedure of
company registration in Switzerland in this field stipulates that, if the
catering business will serve
alcoholic beverages, the
legal entity will need a
permit issued by the
Swiss Alcohol Board, following the regulations of the
Ordinance of Alcohol. The
catering business will also need to respect the applicable legislation for the activities carried out by the
company’s employees, as well as the measures on
safety and hygiene.