Start a Full-Service Restaurant in Fredericton: A Practical Guide
This page lays out a practical, step-by-step path to opening a full-service restaurant in Fredericton (NAICS 722511). You’ll get a clear requirements overview, plus the permits, costs, and timeline you’ll need to plan for before you open your doors. We’ll break down the 9 essential requirements you must meet, so you can move forward with confidence.
What you’ll learn: the exact licenses and permits needed (business license, health and safety inspections, building permits, signage, fire code compliance, and, if you’ll serve alcohol, a liquor license), typical costs (application and inspection fees, insurance, equipment, kitchen fit-out), and a realistic timeline from concept to opening (planning, approvals, build-out, staff training, soft launch). Practical steps to gather required documents and who to contact at city, province, and health authorities help you stay on track.
Fredericton’s growing dining scene and close-knit community make it a smart place to launch a new full-service restaurant. Local suppliers, a straightforward permitting process, and cost efficiencies can help you reach profitability faster.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a full-service restaurant in Fredericton is Liquor Licence. This license is legally required if you plan to serve alcohol, and you cannot legally operate a restaurant with alcohol service without it. It’s non-negotiable and must be in place before you open the doors to offer drinks. If you don’t plan to serve alcohol, you still need the basic registrations to operate, but the Liquor Licence becomes relevant only if you add alcohol service.
For daily operations, focus on mandatory health and safety rules and necessary permits. Ensure your kitchen and service areas follow food handling, sanitation, and safety standards. You’ll also need a municipal Business Licence to operate your restaurant lawfully within the city. If you serve alcohol, the Liquor Licence is required; otherwise it’s part of the normal permitting process to run a restaurant in Fredericton. Maintaining a safe workplace and compliant operations should be part of your opening plan.
On the business registration and tax side, you’ll need to get a Business Number (BN) from the Canada Revenue Agency, and you may need New Brunswick Business Name Registration (SNB) if you’re registering a trade name. Depending on your structure, you might complete Partnership Registration or NB Corporation Registration. You’ll also handle GST/HST Registration and Payroll Deductions Registration as your business grows. These registrations ensure you’re properly set up for taxes, employee payroll, and reporting.
If you’re ready, next steps are to map out which registrations apply to your plan (including whether you’ll sell alcohol), gather required documents, and contact your local business centre or Service Fredericton for guidance. Start with the essential licenses, then tackle the registration and tax steps in a realistic timeline. You’ve got this—steady planning will get you to a successful launch.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a full-service restaurants in Fredericton:
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Liquor Licence RequiredLicence for liquor service. To obtain a liquor licence in New Brunswick: 1. Determine licence type needed 2. Complete application form online/paper 3. Submit to Service New Brunswick with fee 4. Pass inspections as required 5. Receive licence 6. Comply with all conditions and renewals
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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Business Licence RequiredGeneral business licence required to operate a business in City of Fredericton. Apply to City of Fredericton for Business Licence: 1. Determine business category 2. Complete business licence application 3. Submit required documents (ID, lease, zoning confirmation) 4. Pay application and annual fees 5. Await approval and receive licence Contact City of Fredericton Business Licensing for specific requirements. Home-based businesses may have different requirements. Annual renewal required.
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New Brunswick Business Name Registration (SNB) RequiredBusinesses in New Brunswick must register their business name with Service New Brunswick if operating under a name other than the owner's legal name. This applies to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and trade names. Registration provides legal recognition and is required for business operations and licensing. Registration can be completed online through SNB Online. Business name registrations for sole proprietorships and partnerships must be renewed every 5 years. To register a business name in New Brunswick: 1. Conduct name search ($13.80) 2. Complete registration through SNB Online 3. Pay $112 registration fee (includes Royal Gazette) 4. Receive certificate of business name 5. Renew every 5 years ($62) 6. Report any changes as required
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Partnership Registration ConditionalRequired for partnerships. Registration of partnerships. Register through Province of New Brunswick Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of New Brunswick government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
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NB Corporation Registration ConditionalRequired if incorporating in New Brunswick. Incorporation under NB law. Register through Province of New Brunswick Corporate Registry or business services: 1. Conduct name search if applicable 2. Complete registration application 3. Submit required documents 4. Pay registration fees Contact Province of New Brunswick government services for specific requirements and fees. Annual reporting may be required.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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New Brunswick WorkSafeNB Employer Coverage ConditionalRequired if you have employees in New Brunswick. Employers in New Brunswick must register with WorkSafeNB (Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission) and maintain coverage for workers. WorkSafeNB provides insurance coverage for workplace injuries and occupational diseases. Most employers are required to register, with limited exceptions. Registration must occur within 10 days of commencing business operations or hiring the first worker. Employers pay assessments based on their classification unit rate and assessable payroll. To register with WorkSafeNB: 1. Determine if you're in a mandatory industry with 3+ workers 2. Register with WorkSafeNB online or by phone 3. Report assessable payroll annually 4. Pay premiums based on industry rate ($1.18/100 avg 2024) 5. Maintain coverage and report workplace injuries 6. Experience rating affects rate (+80% to -40%)
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your full-service restaurants:
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The Tourism Relief Fund was a $500-million federal program administered through Canada's regional development agencies and ISED to help the tourism sector recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The fund supported eligible projects involving capital upgrades, product development, and adaptation of tourism offerings to public health measures. The program's two-year …
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The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) offered repayable interest-free contributions (up to $250,000) for SMEs and non-repayable contributions for not-for-profits in the tourism sector. Approximately 15% of funding was earmarked for Indigenous tourism. Delivered by Canada's regional development agencies. The program ran from 2023–2026 and is now fully subscribed and closed …
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Provided up to $25,000 per business to Indigenous-owned tourism businesses across Canada. Administered by ITAC through provincial and territorial Indigenous tourism organizations under a $10 million allocation from the $20 million Indigenous Tourism Fund (Budget 2022). All four rounds are completed, with approximately $8.1 million distributed to approximately 330 businesses. …
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The $108M Tourism Growth Program (TGP) funded tourism businesses, associations, Indigenous tourism organizations, post-secondary institutions, and governments to create or improve tourism offerings, invest in digitization, extend seasons, and promote active outdoor experiences. Businesses received interest-free repayable contributions up to $250,000; not-for-profits received non-repayable contributions. Applications are no longer being …
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