Opening a restaurant in Connecticut requires several licenses and permits, each serving a specific purpose and having its own application process and associated costs. These licenses and permits include food and beverage licenses, business registration, tax registration, business name registration, trademark registration, labor registration, food service establishment license, micro-food ordinance compliance, Qualified Food Operator (QFO) certification, and liquor permit.
1. Food and Beverage Licenses
- Purpose: These licenses are required to legally sell food and beverages in your restaurant. The specific license you need depends on the nature of your restaurant. For instance, if you plan to manufacture apple juice & cider, you will need an “Apple Juice & Cider Mfr.” license. If your restaurant includes a bakery, you will need a “Bakery” license. If you plan to distribute eggs, you will need an “Egg Distributor” license, and so on
- How to Register: You can apply for these licenses through the Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection's online platform or by mailing in a paper application.
2. Business Registration
- Purpose: This is required to legally operate your business in Connecticut.
- Estimated Cost: The fee varies by business type. As an example, it costs $120 for an LLC.
- How to Register: You can register your business with the CT Secretary of the State online.
3. CT Tax Registration Number
- Purpose: This is required for tax purposes.
- Estimated Cost: It typically costs $100 for a Sales and Use tax permit.
- How to Register: You can register at the CT Dept. of Revenue Services website.
4. Business Name Registration
- Purpose: Your business’s name needs to be registered with your town or city clerk's office.
- Estimated Cost: The fee varies by location. As an example, it costs $10 in New Haven.
- How to Register: Register your business’s name with the town or city clerk's office.
5. Trademark Registration
- Purpose: If you want to protect your brand name, you can apply for a trademark.
- Estimated Cost: It costs around $300.
- How to Register: You can apply for a trademark at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
6. Labor Registration
- Purpose: If you're hiring employees, you need to register with the CT Dept. of Labor.
- How to Register: Register for free online with the CT Dept. of Labor.
7. Food Service Establishment License
- Purpose: For food establishments, you need a Food Service Establishment License from your local Bureau of Environmental Health.
- How to Register: Apply at your local Bureau of Environmental Health.
8. Micro-Food Ordinance Compliance
- Purpose: If you're using a shared kitchen, you need to comply with Connecticut’s micro-food ordinance, which simplifies the licensing process and decreases fees for businesses making less than $250,000 in total sales.
- How to Register: Comply with the micro-food ordinance.
9. Qualified Food Operator (QFO) Certification
- Purpose: You also need a Qualified Food Operator (QFO) certification from the CT Dept. of Public Health.
- How to Register: Apply for a QFO certification from the CT Dept. of Public Health.
10. Liquor Permit
- Purpose: If you're planning to serve alcohol, you need a liquor permit from the CT Dept. of Consumer Protection.
- How to Register: Apply for a liquor permit from the CT Dept. of Consumer Protection.
For more detailed information, you can visit the following websites:
- Connecticut State Department of Consumer Protection
- Legal Requirements for CT Food Businesses
- Ledge Light Health District
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