You may think all licenses to sell alcohol like beer are the same; however, there are differences in the licenses available and you could be making a costly mistake by limiting the types of drinks you can sell if you buy the wrong one for your business. A beer and wine license does not entitle your business to sell liquor in Florida. Read our blog for detailed information.

First of all, anyone who intends to sell alcoholic beverages must have a license to do so. In Florida alone, there are several different types of licenses.

FOUR MOST COMMON FLORIDA LICENSE

4COP-SRX is for restaurants selling beer, wine, and “spirits,” or liquor on premises only in connection with a legitimate restaurant having between 2,500 and 5,000 square feet, table seating for 150 to 250, and revenue of at least 51% from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages exclusively. In addition, your business must offer full meals at any time you decide to offer alcoholic beverages.

4COP-QUOTA is also for the sale of beer, wine, and liquor on premises, but the difference is in the food. Food may be sold in these establishments; however, it is generally appetizers or “bar food” rather than full meals.

These licenses are generally held by bars, nightclubs, and taverns. In order to obtain this type of license, the requirements are a bit different from the 4COP-SRX license in that the number of these licenses available is dependent on the population.

For a new quota license to be created, the population in that county must increase by 7,500 and in order for an owner to acquire one of these licenses, he must either purchase one from an existing holder or win one during the yearly lottery.

2COP is for beer and wine consumption only on the premises; no liquor or “spirits” can be sold, and these licenses are commonly held by small restaurants or sandwich shops. Under a certain set of circumstances, package sales of beer and wine in sealed containers are allowed under this license as well.

2APS is for the sale of beer and wine for consumption off-premises and is the type of license most convenience stores, supermarkets, and gas stations hold.

WHICH ARE FLORIDA LIQUOR LICENSES TYPES NEEDED?

It is easy to see if your establishment is a bar, nightclub, or lounge if you purchase only a 2COP or 2APS license allowing the sale of beer and wine only instead of the proper 4COP-QUOTA liquor license in Florida your revenue and possibly your entire business can be negatively impacted and actually put you out of business if you are unable to sell liquor.

So, obviously, the question of what license is best depends on what type of establishment you are operating, in addition to a couple of other requirements.

If you intend to operate a full-service restaurant, have the minimum requirements for square footage, available seating, menu items, and sales percentage, and intend to sell liquor in addition to beer and wine, you will need a 4COP-SRX license.

If, on the other hand, you do not intend to sell liquor but meet the other requirements, you may be able to operate with only a 2COP license. This same license would be appropriate for an enterprise with less than 2,500 square feet, table seating for less than 150 or counter seating only, and/or sales of less than half of the sale of full meals.

HOW MUCH IS A FLORIDA LIQUOR LICENSE?

Operating a business is expensive and there is a myriad of start-up costs that can add up quickly, putting you far into the red before you ever even open your doors so naturally, you want to minimize and save money wherever you can; so you don’t want to buy more license than you need, nor do you want to buy less than you need.

There are several different scenarios that can apply to the choice of each of these four licenses so it is essential to know the criteria for each and how your particular business stacks up so that you not only obtain all the licenses you need but that you also do not over purchase and waste money on more license than you need.

The cost for a 4COP-SRX, or beer, wine, and liquor license, is approximately $1,800; while a 2COP license for on-premises consumption of beer and wine only runs around $400 and the 2APS license for off-premises use of beer and wine is roughly $200.

So, you can see there is a vast difference in costs from license to license.

Although the process can be confusing, it is worth your time to do the necessary research to ensure you are getting exactly what you need for your business to be a success.

THE EASIEST WAY TO GET THE TYPES OF LIQUOR LICENSE YOU NEED

Researching and navigating the complex red tape can be time-consuming. Your focus should be on running your business, growing your brand, and increasing your bottom line. A Florida liquor license is essential, but you may simply lack the time and resources to go through the exploration and approval process.

This is where Liquor License Outlet can help.

With more than five decades of experience in the hospitality industry and the liquor licensing process, we can fast-track your way to a liquor license without taking time away from your core area of focus.

There are two ways that we help businesses to gain their liquor licenses in the state of Florida.

BUSINESS FINANCING FOR LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS AND PRIVATE SALES

The first, and one of our most popular services, is business financing. We provide loans to help you gain your liquor license and go through the application process.

Our liquor license financing and short-term business loans will help you to get the necessary paperwork so that you can start selling liquor at your premises, whether you run a restaurant, an entertainment venue, or even a retail store.

CONNECTING YOU WITH SELLERS OF FLORIDA LIQUOR LICENSES

In addition, we can help you to purchase a Florida liquor license from businesses that are changing their operational structure or leaving the market.

Every year, there are countless businesses that no longer need their licenses. They sell these licenses on the open market, but bids are competitive, and it can be difficult if not impossible to win a license if you don’t have the right representation.

Our experience and network of trusted sellers mean that we can find you the best deal for your needs. No matter what type of license you need for your business, we can make it happen.

A liquor license can help you to grow your business. Customers expect liquor sales at restaurants, live music venues, clubs, and retail outlets. Ensure that you have an advantage over your competition by working with the best liquor license team in Florida.

Contact us today to see our current list of available liquor licenses and get obligation-free information as you plan the future success of your business.