Thinking of opening a restaurant in Tampa, Orlando, Miami or elsewhere in Florida? If you’re considering putting alcoholic beverages on your menu, then you’ll need to first obtain a liquor license.
The many regulations and licensing hoops restaurant owners need to navigate can be complicated even for veterans in the Florida restaurant industry. Here are some basics to know about liquor licenses in restaurants.
What type of liquor license does a restaurant need?
Depending on the specifics of your business, there are two main options to consider:
- SRX license: this is a special restaurant alcoholic beverage license that allows restaurants to sell beer, wine and liquor for consumption on the premises. To qualify for this license, the restaurant must have 51% of its sales from food and non-alcoholic beverages. This must be maintained in order for the restaurant to keep their license.
- Quota license: these licenses have strict issuance limits that are based on the population of the county. This means that if the quota is filled, a business has to wait until a license becomes available to be able to sell alcoholic beverages. Quota licenses are either purchased from a business that owns one or through a drawing system when licenses become available.
An alcoholic beverage law attorney can help your restaurant determine which license will be the best fit, as well as advise on how to apply for and obtain the license you need.
How much does a restaurant liquor license cost?
The cost of a liquor license varies depending on the type of license and the county where the restaurant is located. Licenses to sell beer and wine for consumption on the premises start at $56 and can go up to nearly $400 per year. Special licenses for food service establishments are $624 to $1,820 per year.
Quota licenses are $468 to $1,820 per year, and they also have a one-time Hughes Act fee of $10,750 that is used for programs related to drug and alcohol abuse education. Because quota licenses can be purchased from existing establishments looking to sell, the cost of purchasing these licenses can vary. An alcoholic beverage law attorney can protect your interests throughout these transactions.
How long will it take to obtain a liquor license?
The process to obtain a liquor license can be lengthy. Restaurant owners are advised to start this process as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delays in getting their business up and running. According to Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR), the state is required to process filed applications within 90 days. To avoid any delays in processing the application, restaurant owners should take care to submit a completed application with all requested details.
Liquor licensing laws can be complex and change frequently. Restaurant owners should consider working with an attorney who can help navigate alcoholic beverage regulations at every step.