If you're thinking about setting up a restaurant or catering business, start here for a checklist of items to consider and permits that you may need to obtain to get your business off the ground. Please note that this guide does not substitute for legal or professional advice, and additional permits may be required depending on the circumstances of your business.
Contact your local health department: Local health departments are community-based public health service providers and the front-line forces responsible for essential public health services that protect the health of New Jersey's citizens. The local health department will need to approve the floor plan of the business and will make an initial and regular follow up inspections. In New Jersey, every municipality is required to be served by a local health department that meets the requirements of state public health laws and regulations. The local health departments listed in this directory are recognized by the New Jersey Department of Health as the provider of public health services for those municipalities within their jurisdiction.
Food Safety Checklist: The New Jersey Department of Health oversees food safety and its website offers a checklist to help businesses maintain food safety: https://www.nj.gov/health/forms/f-27.pdf.
Food Safety Certification: It is recommended that food managers receive Manager Food Safety Training & Certification. A fee based provider is listed below.
Liquor Licenses: Each municipality is allowed to issue a number of liquor licenses based on their population. The first step in purchasing a liquor license is to contact your Municipal Clerk or to purchase a license from an existing license holder. The purchaser also must meet the requirements of the New Jersey Alcohol Beverage Control Act. For more information you can visit https://www.nj.gov/oag/abc/abc-hb-eng-esp.html and download the ABC Handbook.
The first step in starting a business is writing a well-considered, comprehensive business plan. There are resources to provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs to guide them in the writing process. The New Jersey Small Business Development Centers have regional offices that cover every county in New Jersey and provide free, taxpayer-supported assistance to entrepreneurs (see www.njsbdc.com).
Other organizations that provide technical assistance include:
Commercial Kitchen: A Catering business must use a "commercial kitchen," or a kitchen that has been approved and inspected by the Department of health for all food preparation. A Caterer may not use a residential kitchen for any food preparation.
Zoning Requirements: Every municipality (City, Township, Borough, etc.) has a Land Use/Zoning Ordinance which regulates the kinds of business activities that are permitted within a designated zone and places restrictions on building on land parcels including building setbacks, building heights, signage, and various other aspects of the land usage. When evaluating a location for your business you should consult with the Zoning Officer to determine the suitability of the site for your purposes and what obligations you will have, including possible Planning/Zoning board approvals. Check with your local or municipal government office to find the relevant contact information.
Building Permits: construction covered under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code will require a Construction Permit and inspections to ensure that all construction conforms to the relevant construction codes. In many cases architectural plans prepared by a licensed Architect may be required when making an application for a Construction Permit. Business owners should be diligent in preparing a budget for construction costs that includes the necessary professional costs and permit fees.
Prior Approvals: is it vital that due diligence is used in evaluating any location for a business. Some locations may require additional “prior approvals” before permits or zoning approvals can be obtained due to environmental or other land use concerns. You may require professional assistance in evaluating a site.
Community involvement: Being a member of your community is good for a restaurant or catering business. Supporting community programs, local athletic programs, or joining chambers of commerce, are excellent networking opportunities and demonstrate a business owner's commitment to the neighborhood. Customers are more likely to frequent stores that demonstrate they care about being a part of the community.
Contact your municipality for information on local regulations. General steps required include:
New Jersey Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services (DORES): if you choose to form a limited liability company (LLC) a corporation (Inc.), a Professional Corporation (PC), you must record that new entity with DORES. This is not required for Sole Proprietorships or General Partnerships.
Tax Registration: all businesses (including proprietorships and partnerships) must register for Tax purposes with DORES. Every business that has employees, more than a single owner, or is organized as a corporation must obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), commonly referred to as a Federal Tax ID #, from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Trade Names, Alternate (Fictitious) Business Names, Doing Business As (DBA): businesses may operate using a name other than their legal name, if that name has been properly registered. Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships must register a “Tradename” in each of the County Clerk’s Offices in the Counties where they wish to conduct business. LLCs, Corporations, and other legal entities may register an Alternate Name with DORES. Fictitious names for foreign entities (companies formed outside of New Jersey) are sometimes referred to as a DBA.
Mercantile Licenses: many towns require certain businesses to obtain Mercantile or other local business licenses. Check with the Municipal Clerk’s Office to determine your obligation under the Municipal Ordinances. Your Municipal Clerk can be found by contacting your Municipal Government offices.
Sales & Use Tax: Businesses may be required to collect sales tax during a qualified transaction and submit those proceeds to the Division of Taxation. You may also qualify for a Resale Certificate that can be used when purchasing items for resale.
Taxpayer Workshops: The Treasury Department’s “Taxation University” offers a workshop series to assist small businesses learn more about their state tax obligations.
Businesses with employees have certain obligations. Be aware of the following before you hire anyone else to work with you:
Although great efforts are made to keep these guides as accurate as possible, they are primarily for informational purposes. Specific details about your business may require additional or more specialized assistance. You are encouraged to consult with an attorney and accountant for legal and tax advice.
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