Use your culinary and business management skills to open a restaurant in Maryland.
Appreciation for serving customers, operating a food business and working with employees can help you to succeed as a restaurant owner in Maryland. You'll also need to meet the state's licensing requirements, which are administered through the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, before you start preparing and serving food to customers.
City and County Food Service Facility Licenses
Depending on the county or city where you plan operate your restaurant, you might have to file for a Food Service Facility License with the local Health Department. For example, if you open a restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland, the City Health Department requires you to complete a food license application, providing information such as your full name as the owner of the establishment and the name of your restaurant on the application. You also must indicate whether you have workman's compensation or are self-insured. If your restaurant will operate in Anne Arundel County, you must complete a Food Service Facility Permit and a Worker's Compensation form. Provide details such as the hours your restaurant will be in operation (e.g. 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.), whether smoking will be permitted at the restaurant and whether or not the restaurant will offer seating.
Liquor License
Fill out an application for a Liquor License if you plan on selling liquor at your restaurant. You can get this license from the Maryland Liquor License Board. Circle "New Application" on the form. Also provide information such as your name, date of birth, Social Security number and name of your restaurant. The address for your restaurant, the date you opened for business, the name of the insurance company insuring your restaurant and your insurance policy number must also be stated on the application.
Catering License
Before your restaurant can start catering food, fill out an application for a Statewide Caterer's License with the Comptroller of Maryland. The fee associated with the caterer's license is based on the size of the population in the jurisdiction where your restaurant will be located. Fees range from $750 to $2,000 a year, with larger jurisdictions requiring higher fees. In addition to providing your personal name and the name and street address of your restaurant, you'll also answer a series of questions on the license application. Types of questions you must answer include whether or not you were convicted of a felony, if you ever had a Liquor License revoked and whether or not you have a Health Department Permit from the city or county where your restaurant is scheduled to operate.
Additional Requirements to Open a Restaurant in Maryland
In addition to getting the above licenses, before you open a restaurant in Maryland you must complete and file a Combined Registration Application with the Comptroller of Maryland. Information you must provide on the application includes the name of your restaurant, your first and last names, street address, telephone number and Social Security Number. If your restaurant has a federal identification number, provide the number on the application. Indicate the date sales were first made at your restaurant, as the application is used so that the state can set up accounts to collect required taxes (e.g. sales, unemployment insurance) and fees from your restaurant.
