There are some licenses and permits that are absolutely required in order to open a restaurant. Failure to obtain them can result in penalties from multiple agencies or even prevent you from opening your location at all. Receiving legal counsel may help you map out the steps and ensure that nothing is missed according to the laws in your restaurant’s city and state. It’s easiest to work your way down from the top, starting with the required restaurant business licenses and ending with location-specific permits you may encounter.

Source: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/article/107/restaurant-permits-and-licenses.html retrieved February 14, 2021

Apply for a General Business License

In most states, you will need to initially obtain a general business license in order to operate any kind of business that provides goods or services to the public. Depending upon your location and the nature of your business, it varies whether a general business license must be obtained from a city, town, county, or state authority. In some instances, you may be required to obtain both a state and local general business license. Although the application forms may differ, general business licenses may require your name, contact information, nature of your business, type of business entity, any use of a fictitious business name, your EIN, your Social Security number, and proof of any relevant certifications in your food service field. Check with your licensing authorities to see if you may submit your license application online, by postal mail, or in person.

Acquire a Food Service or Safety License

Proper food storage, preparation, handling, and sanitation are essential to protect public health and safety. A food service business must obtain a food service or safety license from the relevant state, county, or city/town authorities, typically its health department. In some cases, you must complete a food safety certification program and be subject to on-site inspections in order to get and retain your food service license. It may be useful to certify several staff members to ensure that a food safety certified individual is present whenever your business is in operation.

Seek Out Applicable Location-Based Permits

In developing your foodservice business, you may need to secure various location-based permits. First, it is important to determine that the location you selected is properly zoned for your foodservice business. If properly zoned, you may then decide to build or remodel a building for your new venture and will likely need relevant building permits. Even putting up a sign to let the public know about your foodservice business usually requires a signage permit as to the size, type, lighting, and location of your sign. These location-based permits are normally handled on a town, city, and/or county basis, so check with your local building or development authority.

Get Occupancy and Alarm Permits

Your local fire department will usually inspect your foodservice business to determine if your operation presents any fire hazards and meets appropriate fire safety standards, such as proper smoke alarms, sprinklers, and evacuation routes in case of fire. If approved, the fire department will normally issue an occupancy permit that indicates the maximum number of people, including patrons and staff, who may legally be allowed to be on-premises at any given time. In addition, you may wish to protect your business investment with a security or fire alarm. You will need to contact your local police and fire department to secure the relevant permits.

Procure a Liquor License

Sales of alcohol may be an important part of your food establishment’s bottom line. Liquor licenses may be expensive to obtain and renew and often only a limited number may be offered in your community. The requirements, costs, and availability of liquor licenses may vary depending upon your location and your planned liquor services. In some places, you may not be able to secure a liquor license until another licensor is willing to sell it to you or gives up their license to the relevant liquor control board. Different obligations and licenses may apply if you desire to offer a full-service bar, serve beer and wine only, or simply allow patrons to bring wine with them to your business premises. Staff should be properly trained to avoid violating the terms of any liquor license and to prevent legal liability regarding serving patrons of your establishment.

Secure Relevant Entertainment or Broadcast Licenses

You may decide to liven up your food service atmosphere with live musicians, recorded music, or broadcast TV or radio programs. It is important to note that you may need a different license depending upon the nature of your proposed form of entertainment. For live music, you may need a local entertainment license to ensure that your venue meets applicable rules intended to safeguard both the performers and the general public. Musical works, radio programs, and TV broadcasts are copyrighted materials and you will need to obtain appropriate licenses to play or broadcast them from your cable operator or performing rights organizations, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), SESAC, Inc., or BMI. You may want to check out each site’s licensing FAQs for the basics on these licensing issues.

Source: https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-license-permits-you-need-food-hospitality-business.html retrieved February 14, 2021

Image source: http://www.thailand-business-law-center.com/thailand-foreign-business-license/ retrieved February 14, 2021