How to Open a Supermarket

A supermarket is a necessary business in every town. When you decide to open a supermarket, you can specialize in anything you think will thrive in your town such as exotic foods, organic, ethnic or whole foods. Follow these steps to open a supermarket.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Find a location that you deem suitable for a grocery store. Your supermarket should be easily accessible, have plenty of parking and a large enough building to conduct your business. Contact your local health department to verify that you can open a supermarket in that building.
2. Plan where you're planning to locate the kitchen facilities, water and waste sources, plumbing and equipment. Show your plans to the food safety specialist at your local health department to make sure your layout meets all the laws and requirements. It's much easier to make changes on paper than in the actual layout once the building is complete.
3. Begin construction on your supermarket building to make all the necessary changes as planned. Make sure to follow your approved plan exactly so you don't have to make costly renovations later if you fail to pass inspection.
4. Apply for an operating permit through your local health department before you open for business. You will need to provide all the important information they request and pay your fees.
5. Give the health department the information on any food you may be preparing in your supermarket such as in the deli or bakery. The information includes menu items, cooking, refrigeration and holding temperatures and what you plan to do with food that is left over.
6. Request the inspections of your supermarket. You will need inspections from a plumbing specialist, food specialist and fire department before you open. Once you pass inspection your operating permit will remain valid as long as you renew it every year.
7. Order all the food for your supermarket as you prepare to open. Make sure to set up an inventory of food you need on hand at all times and make sure to keep it stocked. You're now ready to begin the hiring process and prepare for opening day.