How to Get a Restaurant Business License in Missouri

Open a restaurant legally by obtaining a business license first.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the state of Missouri does not require food establishments, such as restaurants, to be licensed. However, some local jurisdictions throughout Missouri do require licensing. If you plan on opening a restaurant in Missouri and wish to get your business licensed, you must check with your local jurisdiction about licensing requirements. It is also important to determine whether your restaurant will serve alcohol, because you will need a separate business license that permits you to sell alcohol on your premises.

Instructions

1. Contact the city business license office and/or the county collector’s office for the licensing requirements in your area. Ask what type of business license you need to start and operate a food establishment.

2. Apply for the restaurant business license, if one is necessary. If a license specific to a restaurant is not needed, you may still need to apply for a general business license to operate any type of business in Missouri. Apply for the general business license, depending on the requirements.

3. Fill out all of the paperwork, which will ask you questions about the name of the restaurant, when it will open, who the owners are, and whether the owners have any legal issues. The paperwork may also call for the tax I.D. number of the establishment. You may be able to complete the paperwork process in person at the appropriate licensing office in the city or county, or you may be able to download the materials and mail in the application.

4. Wait for a temporary business permit to be given to you. The temporary permit gives you permission to operate the restaurant until the official license arrives. It is important that you follow the steps and do not operate the food establishment until you have the temporary permit. Temporary permits are usually given out promptly after the application is submitted, but the actual license can take weeks to arrive.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to pay a licensing fee set by the city or county licensing department.

• The application for a permit to sell and handle alcohol is separate from the business license.

References

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: Frequently Asked Questions
• Curators of the University of Missouri; Doing Business in Missouri; January 2010