License Overview 

A City of Chicago Retail Food Establishment license is required any time food is prepared, served, stored, sold, or distributed from a building or other fixed establishment such as a restaurant, café, nightclub, grocery store, food markets, bakeries, or concession stand. 

Related Licenses 

• Sale of liquor requires a Liquor License
• Mobile sale of food requires a Mobile Food License.
• An establishment that leases kitchen space to multiple businesses for food related purposes requires a Shared Kitchen license.
• Retail Food Establishment licensees can host a temporary food service provider that holds a pop-up food establishment user license by obtaining a pop-up food establishment host license.
• A Retail Food Establishment licensee can pop in on a temporary basis at locations around Chicago so long as the host location has a pop-up food establishment host license.

Application Requirements 

• A debt check will be conducted as part of the application process. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
• An inspection of the premises will be conducted by the Chicago Department of Public Health
• The applicant must indicate the complete “doing business as” name (DBA) on the license application. A complete DBA is required for the Chicago Department of Public Health to conduct its required on-site inspection prior to license issuance. A single Retail Food Establishment Licensee may market itself under different concept names, so long as the additional names are noted as part of the business’s DBA as indicated on its license.

Required Documents 

• Documents required to identify the business depend on the business legal entity type. For more information, see the Required Documents page.
• Current Lease / Proof of Property Ownership
• City of Chicago Food Service Manager Certificate, proof of enrollment in a City of Chicago food service sanitation certificate course, or recent proof of reciprocity for the certificate (only required if there will be prepared food)
• Additional documents are required by the Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection Division.

License Application Steps 

• Submit initial business information in person or online
• Receive zoning approval from the City
• Complete and submit a full license application
• Make payment for the license
• Undergo a City debt check. All City debt must be resolved for the license to be issued.
• Undergo inspections from the Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection Division. To request an inspection following license payment, email food@cityofchicago.org.
• Receive license once all requirements are met

For more information on license application steps, see the Business License Application Steps webpage.

cost

The cost for Retail Food Establishment licenses is according to the square footage of the establishment:

• 0-1,000 sq ft: $660
• 1,001 – 2,500 sq ft: $940
• 2,501 – 4,500 sq ft: $1,110
• 4,501 – 10,000 sq ft: $1,320
• Over 10,000 sq ft: $1,650

How to Apply 

In person: Visit the Small Business Center Visit Us webpage for wait times, location, and hours of operation.

Online: Visit the online business license application system.

Operation Requirements 

• Food establishments with seating are subject to a scheduled Restaurant Inspection conducted by the Department of Buildings which is triggered by renewal of the Retail Food Establishment license.
• All retail food businesses are required to have at least one employed person on the premises at all times who has a valid City of Chicago Food Service Sanitation Certificate. The certificate may be obtained by taking a food course offering basic food science background and information on the proper handling of food and maintaining a sanitary food establishment.
• The Chicago Department of Public Health periodically inspects food establishments during the license term.

Renewal Requirements 

A Retail Food Establishment is issued for a period of two years and must be renewed prior to expiration. Prior to renewal, the Department of Buildings will inspect any restaurant with seating. For renewal information, see the Renewal page.

resources

For questions, call 312-74-GOBIZ (744-6249) or 312.744.1944, or email businesslicense@cityofchicago.org

Chicago Department of Public Health Retail Food License Readiness Checklist

Retail Food Establishment Flier