What licenses and permits are required to open a restaurant in Georgia?

Opening a restaurant in the state of Georgia involves several licensing and permit requirements as per the Georgia Food Act (Section 26-2-25). The primary requirements include obtaining a Food Sales Establishment License from the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), submitting a detailed business plan, providing secure and verifiable documents for proof of citizenship or legal residency, and ensuring compliance with various facility, pest control, warewashing, handwashing, service, toilet, water, plumbing, sewage, outside premises, refrigeration, food source, and labeling requirements.

1. Food Sales Establishment License

• Purpose: This license is required to legally operate a food sales establishment in Georgia. It ensures that Good Retail Practices (GRPs) are being followed and food remains wholesome through random and unannounced inspections of food sales facilities.
• How to Register: The license application, signed by a corporate officer or a designee, must be submitted to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The application can be submitted online through the GDA's website. The Food Establishment licenses are active for 1 year, from July 1 to June 30, and must be renewed annually.

2. Business Plan Submission

• Purpose: A detailed business plan is required for new constructions, renovations, or conversions of existing structures. It should include a description of the food products to be sold, planned food service operations, proposed layouts, mechanical schematics, construction materials and finish schedules, proposed equipment types, manufacturers, model numbers, locations, dimensions, performance capacities and installation specifications, and evidence that standard procedures that ensure compliance with the requirements of these regulations are developed or are being developed.
• How to Register: Your business plan must be submitted to the Georgia Department of Agriculture for review. The department will complete business plan reviews within 7-10 business days upon receipt of the required documents.

3. Secure & Verifiable Documents

• Purpose: These documents are required to provide proof of citizenship or legal residency when applying for a license. The GDA requires two documents: a notarized affidavit stating your legal status and supporting documentation such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, and military ID.
• How to Register: The required documents must be submitted to the Georgia Department of Agriculture. If you want to avoid submitting your S&V documents repeatedly for many licenses, you can contact the GDA if they've already approved them for another license program.

Reference links:

• Georgia Department of Agriculture - Basic Requirements for Retail Food
• Georgia Department of Agriculture - Food Establishment Business Plans
• Georgia Department of Agriculture - Secure & Verifiable Documents
• Georgia Department of Agriculture - Retailers
• Georgia Department of Agriculture - Food Establishment Licenses for Retailers

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