Shanghai has opened applications for a special fund to support catering companies.

Subsidies are available for opening new stores, upgrading existing establishments, reducing financing costs, hosting promotional events, expanding the reach of international cuisine, and accelerating the adoption of intelligent technologies.

The fund will support projects carried out during different periods, depending on the project category: Jan 1 to Dec 31, 2025, for business expansion, renovation and upgrading, financing-cost reduction, and promotional events; and Jan 1 to June 30, 2026, for global cuisine initiatives and smart technology adoption.

Businesses interested in applying should register via the Shanghai government service portal, Government Online-Offline Shanghai.

Here is a simplified guide for the application:

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, businesses must meet the following criteria:

1. Be legally registered in Shanghai with all necessary licenses.

2. Be classified under Catering Industry (H62) according to the Industrial Classification for National Economic Activities (GB/T 4754-2017) and demonstrate revenue growth above the average growth rate of Shanghai's catering industry during the policy period, or be a new business establishment included in the National Bureau of Statistics' Statistical Cloud Network Direct Reporting System (国家统计局统计云联网直报系统).

3. Maintain a clean record with no legal violations or adverse credit history on the Credit China website for the past three years.

Application materials

Applicants need to prepare the following documents:

1. Application form

2. The 2025 audit report issued by a third-party audit institution, with an assigned code, and audited financial statements

3. Supporting documents based on the project category, such as business licenses, renovation contracts, loan agreements, promotional event plans, expense details, and third-party assessment reports.

Application deadlines

1. Applications for business expansion, renovation, and promotional events must be submitted by 11:59 pm on June 16, 2026.

2. Applications for global cuisine initiatives and smart technology adoption must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Aug 31, 2026.

Application process

1. Submit the application materials online.

2. District-level commerce authorities will conduct preliminary reviews.

3. The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce will review the applications.

4. The shortlisted applicants confirmed through audit will be publicly announced.

5. The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce will apply to the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Finance for fund disbursement in accordance with the final shortlisted list, the support standards, and treasury centralized payment rules and procedures.

Note: English version is for reference only. In the event of any discrepancy, the official Chinese version shall prevail.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce