Opening a Shawarma Restaurant in Saudi Arabia 2025: A Comprehensive Guide to Building a Successful Business

Opening a shawarma restaurant is one of the most profitable and widespread food business ventures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, the journey to success begins with choosing the right partner — someone who helps you understand the requirements for opening a shawarma shop, prepares the restaurant in line with municipal regulations, Civil Defense standards, and Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) requirements, while also ensuring effective management and smart marketing

In this guide, you’ll find all the crucial details — from licensing to profitability — so you can launch your business with confidence and stand out in the thriving shawarma market of 2025

Official Licenses Required for a Shawarma Restaurant

To obtain the final license, you’ll need approvals from three main entities

Authority	License Type
Municipality	Commercial activity license
Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA)	Compliance of food prep tools and equipment
Civil Defense	Fire safety and firefighting systems approval

All procedures can be completed electronically via the Balady platform

Certified Shawarma Restaurant Equipment

The success of the project depends primarily on the quality of the equipment used. Wahaj Almas supplies professionally certified equipment that complies with SFDA standards and municipal regulations in Saudi Arabia

Here is a list of essential equipment for launching your shawarma restaurant

Equipment Type	Description	Importance
Shawarma Machine (Gas/Electric)	Made of stainless steel with drip trays for fat collection	Essential for safety and quality
Meat Refrigerators	Different cooling levels (0 – 5°C)	Preserves fresh ingredients
Preparation Tables	Made of stainless steel, rust-resistant	Facilitates meal prep
Industrial Hoods & Exhausts	Compliant with Civil Defense standards	Ensures safe ventilation
Fire Suppression Systems	Automatic or portable	Protects staff and premises
Packaging & Serving Tools	Paper plates and thermal containers	Enhances customer experience

Steps to Launch a Successful Shawarma Restaurant

Prepare a detailed financial and marketing feasibility study

Choose a visible, easily accessible location

Equip the restaurant with compliant equipment

Apply for the license via the Balady platform

Contract with reliable food suppliers

Train staff on hygiene standards and fast service

Additionally, WAHAJ AL-MAS offers its clients full support throughout the entire process — from planning and layout design to supplier coordination and staff training

Marketing a Shawarma Restaurant in Saudi Arabia

Some of the strongest success factors include

Launching branded accounts on Instagram , Snapchat , and TikTok with appealing visual content

Offering grand opening promotions and seasonal discounts

Collaborating with local influencers in your area

Leveraging fast delivery as a competitive edge

Encouraging customers to leave reviews on Google Maps to boost local visibility

2025 Municipality Regulation Updates

The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs has announced the following updates

Digitization of all licenses through the Balady platform

New ventilation requirements for restaurants and central kitchens

Support for small and medium enterprises through instant licensing

Introduction of a new rating system for hygiene and service: Gold – Silver – Bronze

Why Shawarma Restaurants Are More Profitable Than Others

High daily demand

Lower ingredient costs compared to other meals

Flexible serving formats (sandwich – plate – family meals)

Easy expansion opportunities after the success of the first branch

Your Success Begins with Compliance

Opening a shawarma restaurant in Saudi Arabia does not require massive capital; rather, it requires precise planning and full regulatory compliance
Choose your location wisely, equip your kitchen according to official standards, work with a professional kitchen setup company, and launch your project with full confidence

Start today, and make your shawarma restaurant the go-to destination for lovers of authentic Arabic flavor

Want to Equip Your Restaurant to Certified Standards

Contact WAHAJ AL-MAS , specialists in setting up restaurant kitchens that comply with Civil Defense and SFDA regulations

You’ll receive a free consultation that includes

Site evaluation

Equipment recommendations

Full pricing for setup and design