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A practical walkthrough of every registration, license and permit you need to legally start a food business in Ontario in 2026, from business name registration to Toronto Public Health notification.
Most food founders in Ontario try to register their business in one weekend and end up stuck for weeks because they didn't know which step blocks which. Federal, provincial, and municipal layers all require different filings, and the order matters. This guide walks you through the registration sequence in 2026, with the actual links, fees, and timelines you should plan around.
Note that this guide is for operators starting and do not own or lease a dedicated space OR have front of house
Step 1: Decide on a Business Structure
Three options matter for most food founders: sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation. Sole proprietorship is the cheapest and fastest to set up. Corporation gives you liability protection and is the right choice if you're planning to take on investors, sell to retail, or scale into wholesale.
The decision affects every step that follows. Most food founders launch as a sole proprietorship to test the market, then incorporate once revenue is consistent and they're signing contracts that justify the protection.
Step 2: Register Your Business Name with the Ontario Business Registry
This is your first real step. If you're operating under your own legal name (e.g., "Jane Smith"), you can technically skip this, but if you're using a business name like "Jane's Catering," you must register it.
Where: Ontario Business Registry (formerly handled by ServiceOntario in person)
What you get: Master Business Licence (MBL) with a Business Identification Number (BIN)
Cost: Around $60 online for sole proprietorship or partnership name registration; corporations cost more
Timeline: Usually same-day online; expect a few business days for confirmation
The MBL is what banks ask for to open a business account. The BIN is the provincial identifier you'll use across most provincial filings.
Step 3: Get a Federal Business Number from the CRA
Once your provincial registration is done, you need a federal Business Number (BN) for tax purposes. This is the nine-digit identifier that ties together your HST account, payroll account, and corporate income tax (if incorporated).
Where: Canada Revenue Agency
Cost: Free
Timeline: Online registration is fast; phone registration takes 15–30 minutes with a CRA agent
If you're incorporating, the BN is generally issued automatically. Sole proprietors and partnerships need to request it directly.
Step 4: Register for HST (If Applicable)
You're required to register for HST once your worldwide taxable revenue crosses $30,000 in any rolling 12-month period. Most food founders register voluntarily before they hit that threshold because:
- You can't claim Input Tax Credits on your business expenses without it.
- B2B customers (restaurants, retailers, caterers) often expect to see HST on invoices.
- Registering early avoids the awkward jump where you suddenly add 13% to all your prices once you cross the threshold.
Where: Through your CRA Business Number account
Cost: Free
Timeline: Same-day if registered online
Step 5: Get a Food Handler's Certificate
At least one person on every shift handling food in Ontario needs a valid food handler's certificate and for an owner operated business, that's you.
Where: Online through Toronto Public Health, Foodsafe.ca, or other accredited providers
Cost: Around $35 online
Timeline: Roughly 4 hours of coursework, instant certificate upon passing the exam
If you're a Syzl user, the cost of your food handler's certificate is credited back to your account when you book a kitchen.
Step 8: Get General Liability Insurance
Insurance isn't a registration requirement, but no commercial kitchen, retail buyer, market organizer, or B2B client will work with you without it.
Most shared kitchens require $2M minimum coverage.
Where: Zensurance offers food-business-specific coverage; standard insurance brokers also write food liability.
Cost: $50–200/month depending on revenue and category
Timeline: Quote in 24 hours, policy bound the same day
Step 9: If Using a Shared Kitchen, Confirm Certification
Before you book your first session, confirm the kitchen is licensed and inspected by the local public health unit. A good shared kitchen will share this paperwork when requested, and if a kitchen can't produce its public health approval, walk away! Operating from an uncertified kitchen voids most insurance, blocks you from selling at farmers markets, and exposes you to enforcement action.
Browse certified kitchens on Syzl
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to register a food business in Ontario?
The provincial business name registration is same-day online. The CRA Business Number is same-day. Plan on 4-8 weeks from start to legal launch if you're doing all steps in parallel.
Do I need to register before I start selling?
Yes. Operating without a registered business and food handler's certificate is often non-compliant for most farmers markets and vendor events and can trigger fines, forced closure, and personal liability if something goes wrong.
Can I run a food business out of my home in Ontario?
It depends on your municipality and your product category. Some low-risk products are allowed under home-based exemptions; most are not. Check with your local public health unit and confirm your municipality's zoning bylaws. The safer path for most categories is to operate out of a shared commercial kitchen.
Do I need a separate licence to sell at farmers markets?
Generally no, your provincial registration, commercial kitchen certification plus food handler's certificate covers most farmers market sales in Ontario. Individual markets may require additional insurance or membership fees. Confirm with each market's vendor coordinator.
What's the difference between sole proprietorship and incorporation for a food business?
Sole proprietorship is faster, cheaper to set up, and simpler at tax time, but you're personally liable for any business debts or claims. Incorporation costs more upfront and adds annual filings, but it separates your personal assets from the business.
Do I need different registrations if I sell across provinces?
Selling B2C (direct to consumers) across provinces typically doesn't require additional provincial registrations, but you may need to register for HST in higher-revenue cases. Selling B2B (wholesale to retailers, distributors, restaurants) across provinces often requires federal CFIA registration depending on the product category. The complexity scales with how processed your product is.
