THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO OBTAINING A FLORIDA LIQUOR LICENSE
Obtaining A Florida Liquor License is a privilege that’s not available for every business owner. Strict rules and regulations are in place for those trying to obtain one. Having a Florida liquor license is an incredible investment opportunity. For those wanting to sell alcohol, this is very important to have. Each state will have its laws as well as governing agency on licensing. There will also be a lot of small print rules that will need to be followed in towns with a lower population. Florida is pretty straightforward with all that they have to offer. Writing out a clear outline of your business and what your plans are will help a lot. Florida Liquor Outlet has all of the tools you will need to succeed at your goals.
A Florida liquor license will grant you the ability to sell alcohol both for on and off premises. You will have different options to choose from, and the prices of each will vary. If you want to decide on the right license type, you will need to know what you want to achieve with your business. Your business plan should be well thought and easy for you to explain to your liquor license broker.
Here is a quick break down of what you will need to do:
- Determine the type of liquor license you will need for your business.
- Determine if you need to purchase a liquor license or get one from your State government.
- Acquire your liquor license.
- Apply through the Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco.
- Find a supplier that will provide low wholesale prices.
- Set your business up and watch the profits start to roll in!
THREE IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER:
A separate license will be required for packaged sales this is also true if you allow alcohol consumption at your premise.
Your license may not be moved to another county since it is based on location population.
The cost of a liquor license varies. The application fee and taxes involved may be only a few hundred dollars to start. And keep in mind the costs that will come with ordering your alcohol wholesale.
- Employer Identification Number – Available on the IRS website
- A Zoning permit – Found at your local zoning commission
- Business License – This can be applied for online or at your local small business commission
- Sales Tax Permit – Your State government website will have all forms and information
- Alcohol Tax Permit – Found at your state’s taxation department
- Building permit – If you check with your local zoning commission you will find all of the forms you will need
- Signage permit – Your local zoning commission will also have this available for you
- Health permit – Check with your State Health Commission
- Lease with your landlord (if you rent a property) – With a copy of all available licenses
- An excellent connection for wholesale alcohol – This will allow you to increase your profits a lot
Finding out if your property is located in a proper zone to serve alcohol is important. Approval to sell will be granted if your property meets requirements established by your county. The provisions are made to keep your surrounding areas safe. Alcohol may lead to an uncontrollable situation in a zone that isn’t well suited for that. Choosing to find out if your business is in the right area for a liquor license is crucial. Below you will find a list of which locations aren’t acceptable.
Locations where you will not be able to sell alcohol:
- Schools
- Parks
- Day cares
- Government owned property
- Property within 1,000 ft of establishments of local government
In other words, your building must be zoned commercially.
2. HOW LONG BEFORE OPENING MY BUSINESS DO I NEED TO APPLY?
Obtaining your liquor license before opening for business is a smart idea. You will be able to find out if you are in the right zone beforehand as well as be able to prepare your property. There’s also a wait time throughout the application process. If you factor in at least 5-6 months between sending in your request and your by the time you have your grand opening you should be ok. The sooner that you look into the availability of a license is the better prepared to apply for one.
3. DO YOU KNOW YOUR STATE LAWS FOR SERVING ALCOHOL?
There are laws in place that’ll either prevent or allow you to serve alcohol it will depend on your location. Liquor licenses are highly regulated, and each county has a different quota. Many of which are already maxed out. A quota permit will authorize the sale of beer, wine, and liquor in your state. Acting quickly is important since they are limited in the number issued per location. What’s the good news? Every time the population increases 7,500 a new license is made through the permit lottery. Quota licenses are usually done through liquor license brokers.
4. DECIDING IF AN OFF-LICENSE OR AN ON-LICENSE IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Off license and on-license are the two types of liquor licenses required to have if selling alcohol. Off-license is a shop license to sell alcohol for consumption outside of the premises. This is a different license than a bar or club would use since their alcohol is consumed at the point of sale. This is a straightforward decision to make if you know the concept for your business already. It’s very rare that a location will be able to have both licenses available. If you own a restaurant, you will more than likely have an on-license.
5. IF I’M LEASING A PROPERTY WILL MY LANDLORD HAVE TO BE INVOLVED?
If you don’t own your property, you will be required to sign a lease with your landlord. It should state that you would lease the liquor license for the location. It can either be included in the actual terms of the lease of the property or can be on its own as a separate document. Selling alcohol in a location that doesn’t have the right documents will face hefty fines. It’s important to keep in communication with your landlord to make sure that all of your licenses are up to date. Having an expired alcohol license is just as bad as not having one at all.
6. IS YOUR ESTABLISHMENT A RESTAURANT AND DO YOU MEET THE DEFINITION OF A RESTAURANT?
Before getting into the responsibilities and requirements of owning a restaurant, let’s take a look at the definition. A restaurant is a business which prepares/serves food and drinks to customers for money. There are many types of foods and drinks available for sale depending on the location. There are many types of designs structures and styles of running a restaurant. Owning a restaurant comes with a lot of responsibilities that you may not know about. Finding out about all of the permits needed in order to begin is important if you want to get your company moving. Working with the right company will allow you to take the right steps and get things done properly. Here at Liquor license outlet we will be more than happy to help you receive your liquor permits. Knows your chance to get things done the right way with an efficient team who knows what you need. In order to open up a restaurant you will want to make sure you have all of the funds you need. Average restaurant startup costs vary from a few thousand to a few million. Profiting from business will be fairly easy for you to do if you have great cooks and a nice menu. Selling alcohol is a major way to increase your profits and bring in more customers.
Location, Location, Location…
You will find a bar in most restaurants because of how convenient it is for people to have a drink before eating. Another major factor in whether or not your restaurant will be successful is your location. Choosing the right spot will guarantee you at least some customers. If your restaurant is in an unknown location, you will not see much people walk-in and will see many walking out. It’s really important to get creative with your ideas when trying to build a new operation. While there are many things you should prepare for when starting a restaurant, you also want to make sure your permits are in order. Many people in need of an efficient team prefer to work with a company that has a great reputation. While obtaining a liquor license can prove to be a little difficult there are ways for us to help. Having a broker by your side will make the process much easier for you to handle without a doubt. Depending on the type of liquor license you need you will need to make sure your paperwork is in order. Finding the right company that is reliable to work with should be your main concern. If you want to get the job done by the best, we have all the documentation and info you need to begin.
Below is some of the things you’ll need in order to start building your very own restaurant…
Permits needed to own and operate a restaurant:
- Business License. To open a restaurant, even before you have a restaurant business plan fully flushed out, you’ll want to obtain a business license.
- Food Service License
- Liquor License
- Food Handler’s Permit
- Employer Identification Number (EIN)
- Sign Permit
Once you have things in place you will find that it will be incredibly easy for you to take the right steps. If your establishment is a bar and not a restaurant it will be a lot easier for you to move forward. Here at Liquor license outlet we are skilled at analyzing your options and working out the most affordable way for you to get it done. Moving forward you do not want to take matters into your own hands or it will cost you down the line. Owning a restaurant is a huge responsibility to handle and will require your patience and focus!
7. CAN YOU BUY A TEMPORARY LIQUOR LICENSE?
Is there a solution towards throwing an event without owning a liquor license?
According to research done here at Liquor License Outlet, yes there is! Owning a license to sell alcohol comes with a lot of responsibility and is a lot of work. Borrowing or renting one is a very convenient way of getting the job done. A quick and simple solution is for you to rent a location that already has a valid liquor license. This in turn will give you the same privileges as an owner of a restaurant or bar. The amount it will cost you to rent out a location with a liquor license can be made back double if your event is in a good location. Buying a temporary liquor license is possible in this way and is a great approach. Our team here at liquor license outlet is also able to help you purchase your own in the future. Since buying a liquor license would allow you to sell to others the right term to use for your situation would be rental.
The Ideal Way to Purchase Your Liquor License
Purchasing a Temporary liquor license is a great idea for those who don’t want to shell out the time and money to own one. There are ways around having to go through the process that many others have to throughout the year. Choosing to work with a trusted source is important if you don’t want to waste your time with trying to find a broker. Owning a liquor license comes with a load of responsibility and planning as well. Finding a reliable place to purchase your liquor license is a very important step before moving ahead. It is more of a possibility for you to rent a liquor license than it is to temporarily buy one. For example, if you are renting a location that holds a liquor license you will then be eligible to use it. You will need to discuss the terms with your landlord and come to an agreement. It is very easy for an owner of a liquor license to lose it due to breaking a law. Legally selling alcohol will require you to have the right liquor license. There are different options to choose from that will allow certain ways for you to serve alcohol. Here we can help you find what you’re looking for and below you will find the types of license available.
Types of liquor licenses for you to choose from in Florida:
- 1APS – Beer (package Sales only)
- 2APS – Beer and Wine (Package Sales Only)
- 1COP – Beer (Package and Consumption)
- 2COP – Beer and Wine (Package and Consumption)
- 3PS – Beer, Wine and Spirits (Package Sales Only)
- 4COP – Beer, Wine, and Spirits (Package and Consumption)
- 11C – Beer, Wine, and Spirits (Consumption Only)
- SRX – Special Restaurant License (Limitations Apply)
As you see, there are many for you to choose from. Liquor licenses are renewed yearly so it’s important that you make sure you are renting yours during a valid period. The owner of the liquor license will receive a notice for renewal 45 days before the expiration date. Now that you know what your options are, take the right steps towards making sure that you are satisfied.
8. DO I NEED A SPECIAL LICENSE FOR BEER AND WINE?
There are differences between beer and wine that allows for there to be different license for both. Serving beer is a lot easier than it is to sell wine. A major difference between the two is that wine can get you drunk a lot faster than beer does. For these reasons it is a lot more difficult to obtain a wine liquor license than a beer liquor license. Having a broker by your side will give you the ease of use and satisfaction you deserve. Finding out how to get the job started will provide you with the ability to stay away from any mishaps down the line. Dedicating yourself towards finding the right solution to your needs will help you. Investing into your business the right way from the beginning will always pay off. There are not many companies out there that are capable of giving you so many options to choose from. When choosing to get a liquor license there are small details that must be covered first. A special liquor license is provided for people with different needs and is in need of a wide range of services. Attaining an alcohol license comes with a load of benefits and should not be taken for granted. With the right team by your side there is no doubt that you will have an amazing experience. Liquor license brokers are trained to provide clients with an ultimate experience.
Who to Hire for Your Beer and Wine Liquor License?
Choosing to hire Liquor license outlet will provide you with the best deals for less. Working with such an efficient team is a great idea if you don’t want to waste your time. To sell beer or wine, annual license fees range from $28 to $392. To sell liquor, annual license fees range from $468 to $1820. Fees vary by county. You will be amazed with the price difference depending on who you decide to work with. I’ve read a lot of great things about the way that liquor license outlet provides their services.
Types of liquor licenses that allow the sale of beer and wine include:
- 2APS – Beer and Wine (Package Sales Only)
- 2COP – Beer and Wine (Package and Consumption)
- 3PS – Beer, Wine and Spirits (Package Sales Only)
- 4COP – Beer, Wine, and Spirits (Package and Consumption)
- 11C – Beer, Wine, and Spirits (Consumption Only)
Getting into the sale of alcohol will be really useful for you if done right. The holidays are quickly approaching and there is no better time than now to put your liquor license to use. We are available for whenever you are ready and will gladly help you make the right decision. Working with the best liquor license outlet will put you on the right track. Invest into your ideas the proper way and allow yourself to take full advantage as well. Getting the job done right will always allow you to keep on top of things and ahead of the competition. Failing to acquire a beer and wine license will only set you back in the future.
9. DO I NEED A SPECIAL LICENSE FOR LIQUOR?
The short answer for this question is yes. There are laws in place to protect consumers and the public for businesses wanting to serve alcohol. Finding the right location for your liquor license is crucial if you want to operate your business right. Working with our team will allow you to find all the information you need in no time at all. Getting started is a quick and simple process that will be well worth your time. I guarantee that you will have an amazing experience and the prices that you’ll see will please you. Liquor licenses are in high demand and there is a high demand for them. Selling alcohol without having the right permits will set you back greatly. There are hefty fines that comes with not having the right liquor license for your location. Click here to take a look at what licenses are available for you to choose from. It’s a good idea to plan out exactly what you will want to do with your permit before you begin. Here at liquor license outlet we will serve you well with no delay. Now is the perfect time to begin finding the right company to work with. There are wide range of benefits that comes with preparing to start your business.
Are there any steps to get a liquor license in Florida?
- Determine the type of liquor license you need.
- Determine if you need to purchase a liquor license or if you get one directly from the State.
- Purchase your liquor license.
- Apply for the license through the Division of Alcoholic Beverage and Tobacco.
Once you purchase your liquor license you will have freedom to do what you want as long as it’s in the county where you received it. Those who are unprepared to buy their own permit have the option to rent one. The cost of a quota liquor license varies from county to county. You can only acquire your liquor license from a current license holder.
Where to Redeem Your Alcohol Permit to Sell
Beverage License Specialists can prepare and process your application. This will ensure that everything is filled out and completed. Once done DABT will be able to process the issuance of the license for your alcohol serving business. DABT is short for Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. They have strict guidelines to follow and will help ensure that everyone is following the law. When it comes to owning a liquor license there are absolutely no shortcuts that you can take. You never want to have to deal with the consequences that are dealt to those who don’t obtain their liquor permit. The law doesn’t allow any business to serve alcohol without going through required steps. Hiring a broker to help you out is a great idea if you have never obtained a liquor license on your own. There is a lot of paperwork involved that you must pay close attention to in order for it to be done right. You will experience significant delays if you don’t double check your application.