To open a food truck in the state of Wisconsin, you are required to obtain several licenses and permits. These include a license for your mobile retail food establishment, a service base license, a Mobile Food Establishment (MFE) license, and potentially a Food Peddler (Mobile Food License) or a Mobile Seller's License if you are operating in the City of Milwaukee. Additional permits may be required depending on the specific nature of your business and the location of your food truck.
1. Mobile Retail Food Establishment License
- Purpose: This license is required to operate a food truck in Wisconsin. It allows you to sell food from your mobile retail food establishment.
- How to Register: You can start the licensing process at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection website. For more information, you can contact the Licensing Specialist at (608) 224-4923 or via email at datcpdfslicensing@wi.gov.
2. Service Base License
- Purpose: This license is required if your mobile service base is located in a different jurisdiction from the mobile retail food establishment.
- How to Register: Apply for a license for the mobile service base in the different jurisdiction.
3. Mobile Food Establishment (MFE) License
- Purpose: The MFE license is required to operate a food truck in Wisconsin. The MFE must return to its service base at least every 24 hours unless operating at a special event with services available.
- How to Register: More on these requirements can be found at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s food manager requirements webpage.
4. Food Peddler (Mobile Food License)
- Purpose: This license is required to operate a food truck in the City of Milwaukee. It allows you to sell food from your mobile food establishment.
- How to Register: You can apply for a Peddler's License through the license division of the City of Milwaukee.
5. Mobile Seller's License
- Purpose: This license is required if your business is already licensed by a different municipality and you wish to operate in the City of Milwaukee.
- How to Register: You can apply for a Mobile Seller's License through the license division of the City of Milwaukee.
For more detailed information, please refer to the original documents at Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, City of Milwaukee's official website, and City of Milwaukee's License Division.
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