How Do I Start a Canteen for 250 Employees? Seeking Guidance and Tips

Starting a Canteen Facility for Employees

Our manufacturing unit has around 250 employees. My management has asked me to start the canteen facility for employees. Kindly guide me on how to proceed with it.

Thanks,
Prashant

You have not mentioned what kind of organization you are working with - I mean private/public/government. Anyway, after approval from management, you first need to decide on the requirements (simple lunch or breakfast/tea/coffee, etc.). Prepare the scope of services and then invite quotes from canteen operators/caterers. Also, plan for procuring crockery, utensils, cooking gas, stove, insect catchers, etc., as they may need to be provided by the company to the caterers.

Assuming that you have the proper infrastructure (building with furniture), upon finalizing the party, you can start the canteen facility. Monthly coupons can be distributed, and recovery from salaries can be made. You can also form a canteen committee to oversee its management. Once it is operational, there are numerous things that could be done for further improvement.

Regards,
Priyanka

Please refer to the Factories Act and state rules to provide the canteen facility. Ensure it operates on a non-profit, no-loss basis when you contract out canteen maintenance.

Canteen Facility Requirements Under the Factory Act

As per the Factory Act, canteen facilities should be provided for establishments with more than 250 employees. Please create a plan detailing the location, materials needed, purchasing process, and the types of meals to be offered (breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee) before proceeding.

Regards,
Ashok

Hi, I fully agree with Priyanka. One more thing I want to add is to fix the canteen timings for lunch/dinner, tea, and breakfast.

Regards,
Rakesh Pansuriya

FSSAI License Requirement for Canteen Operations

You also need to obtain a license under the FSSAI Act (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006), which was implemented in August of last year in your area. This license is required for running a canteen, and the person responsible for enforcement is known as the Food Safety Officer.

If your organization employs 250 employees, then canteen facilities must be provided as per the Factories Act. This canteen can be managed by the organization itself, a cooperative, or with the assistance of management/contractors at a subsidized rate.

Regards,
V. SUBBARAO
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

First, you should invite some caterers to your company to gain knowledge. Decide on the place where you need to establish the canteen first. Then, you need to purchase catering equipment such as hot food counters, almirahs, canteen furniture, etc. You can ask the caterers for copies of current agreements, blocking/erasing the pricing part. In any case, the agreement is something related to the purchasing/contract department.

Regards,
Venu

Dear Prashant,
The canteen should contain at least a dining hall, pantry, kitchen, washing place, and storeroom. Moreover, the area of the canteen will be approved by the factory inspector. As far as my knowledge is concerned, the area of the dining hall should accommodate 30% of the general shift employees at one time. The walls of the dining hall and kitchen shall be designed so that 3 to 4 ft walls are made from smooth and impressive materials. There is provision for the painting of walls, woods, etc.

In addition to the above, you will have to appoint a canteen managing committee to maintain food quality and hygiene standards. The company will run the canteen on a non-profit basis. The company must provide all kitchen equipment, water, electricity, and the building free of cost to the canteen contractor. The cost of the materials should not be added to the meal rates.

I hope the above information is helpful.

Regards,
Amol

Hiring Workers and Forming a Committee

Let the workers be hired. Have a committee of employees for purchasing foodstuffs, deciding on menus, distribution, etc.

Month-End Share Division

At the month-end, divide the share. The cost is extremely low, and the quality of foodstuffs is very good. I have been the mess secretary of such a canteen myself.

Understanding GLL (License)

What is a GLL (License)? One of the IT companies has asked my friend to produce a GLL for running the canteen in their company. He has already been running the canteen. How can we obtain it, and where? What are the formalities?

Regards,
Saraswathi Gopakumar
[Phone Number Removed For Privacy Reasons]

Dear Seniors, We have a manufacturing unit in Gurgaon, Haryana. As the number of workers has increased to 250, we want to construct a canteen in the factory. Please advise on the process to obtain approval for constructing the canteen. Kindly provide information on the necessary documents required for approval. It would be appreciated if you could specify the exact number of documents and outline the due process for obtaining approval.

Thanks & Regards,
Dinesh Kumar

Dear All,

Please share the communication/policy to start the subsidized meal for employees in the office and the process for deduction from the payroll.

Thanks

Hi! Can anyone please tell me if there has been any amendment regarding the number of workers in a factory required to open a canteen? (It is 250 workers)

And who is liable to open the canteen, is it the labor contractor or the factory owner?