Top Tips for a Successful Liquor License Application
Adding beer, wine, or liquor to your restaurant or other establishment’s revenue stream can be profitable. Unfortunately, the process of obtaining a license can be extremely challenging.
Know Your Requirements
Businesses that sell alcohol typically have higher profit margins than those that don’t. Adding alcohol sales to your business may be worth the investment of getting a Texas liquor license. However, the state’s laws and licensing requirements are tightly regulated. You can’t get a license if you’ve violated the alcohol code in the past two years or have a felony conviction within five years.
You also have to meet insurance requirements. You need a certain amount of workers’ compensation insurance, general liability insurance, and liquor liability. You also need to pay state and city fees.
Know Your Local Laws
Each state has its laws and regulations for obtaining a liquor license. The governing body of each state determines these laws, and local governments often set standards and requirements that accompany the general state law. Depending on the business type, the liquor license Dallas TX requirements may vary. For example, retail businesses will likely need small business insurance, and wholesalers will need commercial general liability insurance. Manufacturers will need workers’ compensation insurance and liquor liability insurance.
Additionally, business establishments must be located in wet areas, which must be verified by submitting a city or county certificate. This can be a time-consuming step in the process. In some cases, it can even delay opening a new business.
Know Your Options
It’s important to know your options when applying for a liquor license. For example, suppose someone from the local community protests your application due to fears that your establishment will bring noise and other unwelcome changes to their neighborhood. In that case, you may be required to defend your application at a public hearing. In addition, there are many other things you’ll want to consider, including publication notices, tier violations, written alcohol policies, and more. The best way to stay on top of all these details is to take the appropriate TABC course(s) for your business. Then, you can be confident that you’re preparing yourself and your team for success when opening your doors.
Know Your Limits
In many states, obtaining a liquor license involves dealing with several different entities at a local and state level. This makes the process more cumbersome than it needs to be. Organizing your paperwork and keeping track of your invoices, order sheets, employee contracts, and insurance papers can help the process move along smoothly. If you’re planning on putting a full bar in your restaurant, it’s worth the effort to navigate the licensing process to ensure your establishment can legally sell alcoholic beverages. After all, selling beer and wine is one of the most profitable revenue streams for restaurants. And it can also help increase average check sizes and the overall customer experience.
Know Your Limits in the State of Texas
There are many things to keep track of when applying for a liquor license. It’s a complicated process, but it can bring substantial profits for restaurants, bars, and other businesses that offer alcohol in Texas.
Aside from choosing the right license and completing the required TABC licensing courses, you must know your limits in Texas. This includes knowing if your business location is wet for the permit you’re applying for, whether there are any local ordinances or zoning restrictions that could interfere with your application and other key details about your company and location.
Other things to consider include:
- Deciding which tier of alcohol you want to sell.
- Navigating city alcohol regulations.
- Publishing notices.
- Checking for TABC bond requirements and more.
