To open a restaurant in Rhode Island, you will need to obtain several licenses and permits. These include a Food Service License, a Food Safety Manager License, a Meat / Poultry Processing License, a Food Processing License, and a Shellfish Business License. The specific license you need depends on the nature of your business, such as whether you are an eat-in restaurant, a food truck, a caterer, or a vending machine operator. If your restaurant is not serviced by a municipal water system and/or a public sewer system, you will also need to complete the RIDOH/DEM Business Pre-Application Form.
1. Food Service License
- Purpose: This license is required for all food service establishments, including eat-in restaurants, take-out or delivery services, food trucks, caterers, vending machines, and temporary food services. The type of license depends on the nature of your business.
- How to Register: You can apply for this license through the Rhode Island Department of Health. If your restaurant moves to a new location, you need to reapply for a license.
2. Food Safety Manager License
- Purpose: If you prepare food through processes such as cooking or hot-holding, you must employ at least one full-time on-site food safety manager. If you employ ten or more full-time equivalent people to prepare food, you need at least two food safety managers. Establishments who primarily serve the elderly or individuals with diminished immune systems must have a food safety manager present whenever hot food is prepared.
- How to Register: You can apply for this license through the Rhode Island Department of Health. If your restaurant moves to a new location, you need to reapply for a license.
3. Meat / Poultry Processing License
- Purpose: This license is required if you plan to process meat or poultry in your restaurant.
- How to Register: You can apply for this license through the Rhode Island Department of Health's website. The application forms for a Farm Warehouse Meat Products and Meat Poultry Processor can be found on the department's website. Renewal notices for this license are sent out 60 days before your expiration date, and you can renew online.
4. Food Processing License
- Purpose: This license is required if your business manufactures, packages, labels, or stores food to sell to distribute to other businesses. A variance is needed for certain food processes including smoking, dehydrating, acidifying, or otherwise preserving food.
- How to Register: Contact the licensing unit at the Rhode Island Department of Health if you have any questions about the license process. If you are selling directly to consumers, a Juice HACCP program and pasteurization is recommended for safety.
5. Shellfish Business License
- Purpose: This license is required if you intend to shuck, repack, ship, or reship shellfish.
- How to Register: You can apply for the license online at the Rhode Island Department of Health's website. Renewal notices for the license are sent out 60 days before your expiration date.
For more information, you can visit the following links:
- How to Open a Restaurant in Rhode Island
- License guidelines for new food establishments
- Rhode Island Department of Health
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