If you’re getting ready to open a restaurant, bakery, or any food-based business in Georgia, you’re probably thinking about your menu, staff, and where to source your ingredients. But before you open your doors or serve your first customer, there’s a key step you can’t skip: getting your food licenses and permits in order.
The licensing process might seem like a lot at first glance, but it’s manageable when you know the steps. Georgia’s health and safety regulations are strict for good reason.
What types of food licenses exist in Georgia?
Running a food business without the proper permits and licenses is a recipe for trouble. The exact license you’ll need in Georgia depends on what you’re serving, where you’re serving it, and how your food is being handled.
1. Food service establishment permit
If your business involves preparing and serving food directly to customers, you’ll need this one. This applies to you if you’re opening a restaurant, café, diner, or even a food stall with a commercial kitchen. You’ll need to apply through your local county health department. Before you get the green light, your kitchen will need to pass an inspection, and you’ll have to comply with Georgia’s Food Code.
This permit is all about protecting public health, and it shows your customers that your space is safe and clean.
2. Food sales establishment license
If your business focuses more on packaged goods or items meant to be taken home, you’ll be looking at the Food sales establishment license. If you sell bottled drinks, snacks, sauces, or anything that isn’t served hot and fresh on-site, this one likely applies to you.
You’ll still have to follow safety regulations, but the oversight comes from the state instead of your county. You can learn more about this license and begin your application by visiting the official Georgia Department of Agriculture page, where they list what the state expects from you, explain the inspection process, and offer guidance for new applicants.
3. Mobile food service permit
If you’re starting a food truck, then you’ll need the mobile food service permit, which your local health department also issues, but the requirements are tailored to mobile units. This permit is essential if you’re cooking in a vehicle or cart, traveling between locations, or relying on a commissary kitchen instead of a fixed one.
Remember, if you plan to serve in multiple counties, you may need permits from each of them. You’ll also need to check for additional approvals like fire inspections and local zoning compliance.
4. Cottage food license
If your dream is to sell cookies, jams, or other homemade goodies right from your own kitchen, Georgia offers a cottage food license that lets you do just that. This license is designed for low-risk foods that don’t require refrigeration. Such items include baked goods, granola, candies, or fruit preserves. You can only sell these items directly to consumers, not through third-party retailers or restaurants.
It’s a great way to get started small, especially if you’re just dipping your toes into the food business world.
5. Temporary food service permit
If you’re planning to sell food at a short-term event, perhaps a festival, a farmers market, or a local fundraiser, you’ll need a temporary food service permit. This is the permit for pop-ups and event-based food vendors. It usually covers 1 to 14 days and is issued by your county. You’ll need to provide a sample menu, details about your setup, and your food safety plan.
Even though it’s temporary, the health department still takes food safety seriously, so your booth needs to meet certain hygiene standards.
6. Alcohol license (if applicable)
If your business plans to serve or sell beer, wine, or spirits, you’ll need an alcohol license. This is a completely separate process from food permits and involves both state and local authorities. It includes a background check, a detailed application, and compliance with zoning and distance rules, like how close you are to schools or churches.
Depending on your local jurisdiction and how quickly you submit complete documents and pass inspections, these licenses often take several weeks to a few months to process. Since they involve background checks, zoning reviews, and sometimes public notices, it’s smart to start the application as soon as you’ve made alcohol part of your business plan. This helps avoid opening delays and gives you enough time to work through any unexpected issues.
Steps for getting food permits in Georgia
Before you serve your first dish, you’ll need the right permits. This step-by-step guide will help you get licensed and ready to go.
Step 1: Choose your business structure and register it
Every successful food business starts with a strong foundation, which means getting your legal structure in place. Are you going solo as a sole proprietorship? Partnering with someone? Setting up an LLC to protect your personal assets? Or forming a full corporation?
Once you’ve decided, you’ll need to register your business with the Georgia Secretary of State. This makes your business official and gives you legal permission to operate. After registration, head over to the IRS website and apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). This acts like a Social Security number for your business, and you’ll use it when filing taxes, opening a business bank account, and submitting permit applications.
Step 2: Find your local health authority
Food service permits in Georgia aren’t handled at the state level. They’re managed by each county’s Environmental Health Division. That’s where you’ll submit applications, schedule inspections, and get ongoing guidance.
Your first move should be to locate the contact information for your county’s health department. Call them or visit their website to understand the local requirements, fees, and processing times. Each county runs slightly differently, so don’t assume the process is the same statewide.
Step 3: Submit complete requirements for food service permit application
When you apply for a Food Service Establishment Permit, you’ll be asked for detailed information about how your business will operate. That includes:
- A proposed menu
- Kitchen and storage floor plan or layout
- Types of equipment you’ll be using
- How you plan to receive, store, and prepare food
- Sanitation and waste disposal practices
If your kitchen is new or undergoing remodeling, you’ll likely need to submit floor plans for approval before construction. This is often called a plan review, and it’s required before moving forward.
Step 4: Get your kitchen inspected
Once your application is approved and your space is built or renovated, the county will schedule a health inspection. Don’t stress. This is just their way of making sure your setup meets Georgia’s Food Code.
The inspector will check things like:
- Proper refrigeration
- Food handling and storage
- Clean water supply
- Handwashing sinks
- Pest control measures
- Plumbing and waste management
If everything checks out, you’ll receive your food service permit, usually valid for one year. If they find anything that needs fixing, they’ll let you know what to correct before your permit can be issued.
Step 5: Train your staff in food safety and secure food handlers license
Food safety is more than a requirement. It’s your responsibility as a business owner. Georgia expects at least one person in every food establishment to be a certified food safety manager. That means taking a course (online or in-person) and passing a certification exam from an approved provider.
Here are some trusted options you can check out:
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification: A widely accepted program run by the National Restaurant Association. Courses and exams are offered online and in person.
- StateFoodSafety Manager Certification: Offers an online training course with practice tests and a proctored exam.
- Learn2Serve via 360Training: Georgia-approved, includes self-paced learning and an ANAB-accredited exam.
After passing, you’ll receive a certificate valid for five years. Be sure to check your local health department for any additional requirements specific to your county.
Other team members should go through basic food handler training. This covers things like hand hygiene, preventing cross-contamination, and safe food temperatures. Not only does this help prevent illness, but it also gives customers peace of mind that your business takes their health seriously.
Additionally, as your team grows, tracking everyone’s certifications can get surprisingly complicated. Different staff members will have different expiration dates, and it’s easy for something to slip through the cracks. 7shifts has a feature that lets you store documentation and certifications and get gentle reminders before they expire. It just helps keep everything in one place, so you can stay focused on running your business without chasing paperwork.
Step 7: Renew your permits on time
Most permits in Georgia must be renewed annually, and late renewals can result in fees or even temporary shutdowns. Below is a quick guide to some standard permits and how often you need to renew them:
| Permit type | Renewal frequency |
| Food service establishment permit | Every year |
| Business license | Annually (varies by city/county) |
| Sales tax registration | No renewal, but ongoing reporting required |
| Food sales establishment license | Every year |
| Mobile food service permit | Annually |
| Alcohol license | Annually (plus additional renewals for state/local compliance) |
| Certified food safety manager | Every 5 years (check certification provider) |
Keeping track of these dates can be tricky, especially as your team grows. Mark your renewal dates in multiple places: a physical calendar, your phone, and your POS system.
Common mistakes to avoid when getting food licenses in Georgia
It’s common to make a few missteps with licensing and permitting. But avoiding these common mistakes can save you time, money, and a whole lot of stress down the road.
Skipping the health department early in the process
It might feel like you don’t need to deal with the health department until your kitchen is set up or your truck is ready to roll, but waiting too long can be a big and costly mistake. The local health department should be one of your first stops. They’ll help you understand what’s required for your space, whether that’s equipment specs, handwashing sinks, vent hoods, or floor materials.
If you build first and ask later, you might have to tear things out and redo them to meet the code. That’s money you could have used elsewhere. Make that call early. It’s a small step that can save you weeks or even months later on.
Applying for the wrong license type
Not all food licenses are created equal. It’s easy to assume you need a restaurant permit, but if you’re only selling prepackaged snacks or operating from your home kitchen, the license you need might be completely different. Georgia distinguishes between food service permits, food sales licenses, mobile unit permits, and cottage food licenses, just to name a few.
If you’re unsure what category your business falls into, reach out to the Georgia Department of Agriculture or your local Environmental Health office. They can help point you in the right direction before you waste time applying for the wrong thing.
Underestimating the paperwork timeline
Every food business wants to open fast, but licensing often takes more time than expected. For example, alcohol licenses or mobile unit approvals can involve extra layers of review, background checks, and even public notices.
If you’re planning a grand opening, don’t cut it too close. Build in buffer time, sometimes several weeks or more, to account for unexpected delays. That way, your opening doesn’t get postponed by a missing signature or a delayed inspection.
Overlooking local zoning or signage rules
Your permits may be in order, but is your location even allowed to operate as a food business? Each city or county in Georgia has its own zoning regulations. Some areas don’t allow commercial food prep or retail in certain zones, and others have restrictions on signs, patio seating, or operating hours.
Before you sign a lease, double-check that the space you’re eyeing is legally allowed to operate the way you want. You don’t want to invest in a spot only to find out you can’t actually open there.
Be licensed, legal, and ready to serve
Opening a food business in Georgia is a big move, and getting your permits is one of the most important parts of the process. Stay in touch with your local health department, keep your paperwork updated, and don’t hesitate to ask questions since they want you to succeed, too.
Once your licenses are squared away, you can shift your full focus to what you do best: serving great food and creating memorable experiences for your customers. And now that compliance is out of the way, it’s also a great time to start thinking about how you’ll manage your team day-to-day. That includes scheduling shifts, communicating with staff quickly, and keeping track of who’s trained and certified for which roles.
This part of running a food business can get overwhelming fast, especially once you have multiple team members with different availability and responsibilities. That’s where digital tools can really help. 7shifts lets you build and adjust schedules, message your team directly, and track important things like food safety certifications, all in one place. By having everything centralized, you spend less time buried in spreadsheets and more time focused on your kitchen and customers.
Rebecca Hebert, Sales Development Representative
Rebecca Hebert
Sales Development Representative
Rebecca Hebert is a former restaurant industry professional with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience leading teams in fast-paced hospitality environments. Rebecca brings that firsthand knowledge to the tech side of the industry, helping restaurants streamline their operations with purpose-built workforce management solutions. As an active contributor to expansion efforts, she’s passionate about empowering restaurateurs with tools that genuinely support their day-to-day operations.
