What Every New Restaurant Owner Must Do Before Opening
What Every New Restaurant Owner Must Do Before Opening
What Every New Restaurant Owner Must Do Before Opening
A complete checklist to help you navigate permits, licenses, and requirements in New York.
A complete checklist to help you navigate permits, licenses, and requirements in New York.
A complete checklist to help you navigate permits, licenses, and requirements in New York.
Opening a restaurant in New York is exciting, but it also requires navigating a complex series of permits, approvals, and regulatory requirements. From health permits and liquor licenses to business registration and inspections, missing even one step can delay your opening.
At SLA Solutions of NY Inc., we have helped hundreds of restaurants, taverns, breweries, and hospitality businesses successfully navigate New York’s regulatory process. Below is a practical checklist to help you understand the key steps required to open a restaurant in New York State.
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Step 1: Form Your Business Entity
Step 1: Form Your Business Entity
Before applying for licenses or permits, you must establish your legal business structure. Common options include:
Before applying for licenses or permits, you must establish your legal business structure. Common options include:
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp)
Corporation (S-Corp or C-Corp)
Partnership
Partnership
Sole Proprietorship
Sole Proprietorship
You will also need to obtain:
You will also need to obtain:
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
New York State Sales Tax Certificate of Authority
New York State Sales Tax Certificate of Authority
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Step 2: Secure Your Location
Step 2: Secure Your Location
Before most applications can be submitted, you must have a signed lease or property ownership documentation.
Key things to confirm:
Before most applications can be submitted, you must have a signed lease or property ownership documentation.
Key things to confirm:
Zoning allows restaurant or tavern use
Zoning allows restaurant or tavern use
Proper occupancy limits
Proper occupancy limits
Building and fire code compliance
Building and fire code compliance
Certificate of Occupancy
Certificate of Occupancy
Many liquor license delays occur because the location is not properly zoned for alcohol service, so confirming this early is critical.
Many liquor license delays occur because the location is not properly zoned for alcohol service, so confirming this early is critical.
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Step 3: Apply for Your NY Liquor License
Step 3: Apply for Your NY Liquor License
If your restaurant plans to serve alcohol, you will need approval from the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA). Common license types include:
If your restaurant plans to serve alcohol, you will need approval from the New York State Liquor Authority (SLA). Common license types include:
On-Premises Restaurant Liquor License
On-Premises Restaurant Liquor License
Beer and Wine License
Beer and Wine License
Tavern Liquor License
Tavern Liquor License
The process involves extensive documentation including:
The process involves extensive documentation including:
Ownership disclosures
Ownership disclosures
Personal history forms
Personal history forms
Financial documents
Financial documents
Working with an experienced New York liquor licensing consultant can help avoid errors that delay approvals.
Working with an experienced New York liquor licensing consultant can help avoid errors that delay approvals.
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Step 4: Obtain Health Department Permits
Step 4: Obtain Health Department Permits
Restaurants must obtain a Food Service Establishment Permit from the local health department.
Requirements typically include:
Restaurants must obtain a Food Service Establishment Permit from the local health department.
Requirements typically include:
Kitchen plan review
Kitchen plan review
Food safety certification
Food safety certification
Health inspection
Health inspection
Proper refrigeration and sanitation systems
Proper refrigeration and sanitation systems
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Step 5: Register for Additional State Licenses
Step 5: Register for Additional State Licenses
Depending on your business model, you may also need:
Depending on your business model, you may also need:
New York Retailer License
New York Retailer License
Tobacco Retail Dealer Registration
Tobacco Retail Dealer Registration
CBD Retail Licensing
CBD Retail Licensing
Music licensing (ASCAP/BMI)
Music licensing (ASCAP/BMI)
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Step 6: Prepare for Inspections
Step 6: Prepare for Inspections
Before opening, your restaurant may require inspections from:
Before opening, your restaurant may require inspections from:
Local building department
Local building department
Fire department
Fire department
Health department
Health department
New York State Liquor Authority (if applicable)
New York State Liquor Authority (if applicable)
Ensuring everything is properly documented beforehand helps avoid costly opening delays.
Ensuring everything is properly documented beforehand helps avoid costly opening delays.
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Step 7: Prepare Your Staff and Compliance Policies
Step 7: Prepare Your Staff and Compliance Policies
Restaurants serving alcohol must ensure:
Restaurants serving alcohol must ensure:
Staff are trained in responsible alcohol service
Staff are trained in responsible alcohol service
Age verification procedures are in place
Age verification procedures are in place
Proper recordkeeping is maintained
Proper recordkeeping is maintained
These compliance steps protect your business and help avoid violations.
These compliance steps protect your business and help avoid violations.
Ready to Get Licensed?
Let our team walk you through the process — step by step.
Ready to Get Licensed?
Let our team walk you through the process — step by step.
Ready to Get Licensed?
Let our team walk you through the process — step by step.
Ready to Get Licensed?
Let our team walk you through the process — step by step.