Securing a quota license to sell alcoholic beverages at a retail or dining establishment will involve significant investments. You will need to carefully comply with Florida law and most likely pay thousands of dollars to secure the license.
There are large waiting lists in some areas, as there are more businesses that would like to serve alcohol than available quota licenses at the county level. Rather than applying for a license and ending up on a waitlist, can you buy an existing liquor license from another company?
Yes, those with a license can sell it
Florida does allow a business that has already secured a liquor license to sell that license to another business. There is a state fee assessed for the transfer, but such transactions may be faster and easier than securing a license for your company directly from the state.
You can expect to pay at least $5,000 in transfer fees, as well as the price you negotiate to pay for the license. The state could also impose penalty fees on the transaction as well. Despite those costs, the sooner you secure a license, the sooner you can profit from having one.
If you know someone who intends to change the scope of their business or close down their facility in the next year, you may be in a position to negotiate terms for the transfer of their liquor license to you. In fact, you may even be able to secure a license by buying it and then changing the county in which applies.
Understanding the rules for transactions involving Florida liquor licenses can help you pursue the most effective solution for your business plan.