Pop-Up Food


License Overview 

Pop-up food licenses allow the preparation and sale of food on a short-term, temporary basis, up to a maximum duration of 90 consecutive days during any 365-day period in any one location. The entity that pops in to prepare and sell food must hold a pop-up food establishment user license, while the host establishment must hold a corresponding pop-up food establishment host license. Nonperishable, commercially pre-packaged food can be sold under a pop-up license for up to one year.

Preparing or selling food: Pop-up Food Establishment users

A pop-up food establishment user license is required to prepare or sell food on a short-term, temporary basis. A user is not tied to a location and can pop in at properly licensed locations around Chicago. There are three tiers of pop-up users based on the level of food preparation, listed in the table below.

A restaurant with a valid Retail Food Establishment License or Shared Kitchen User licensee can pop in at locations around Chicago by adding the pop-up food establishment activity to their existing license at no cost by visiting the Small Business Center and undergoing a consultation with the Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection Division, so long as the host location is properly licensed.

 

hosting someone preparing or selling food: pop-up Food establishment hosts

A pop-up food establishment host license or other approved food license is required for the location hosting the pop-up food establishment user.

 

License Overview pop-up tiers based on level of food preparation

There are three different pop-up food establishment tiers (for both users and hosts) based on the level of food preparation.

What the Pop-Up Food Establishment User Can Prepare/ Sell:  Nonperishable food commercially prepackaged in a properly licensed establishment.  On-site food preparation or dining is not allowed.

What License the Host Location Needs: No host license needed. 

What the Pop-Up Food Establishment User Can Prepare/ Sell: Anything allowed under Tier I, in addition to perishable prepackaged food that has been prepared, packaged and stored off-site at a licensed Shared Kitchen facility (Shared Kitchen Operator license or Retail Food Establishment License with a Shared Kitchen Supplemental license). Final on-site prep involving minimal assembly is allowed such as tossing or applying dressing to a prepackaged salad, heating pre-packaged food, or plating prepackaged food.

What License the Host Location Needs: Tier II or Tier III pop-up establishment host license, or a Shared Kitchen license.

What the Pop-Up Food Establishment User Can Prepare/ Sell: May function as a full-service restaurant including preparation of perishable food and on-site dining. 
What License the Host Location Needs: Tier III pop-up establishment host license, or a Shared Kitchen license. 

 

related licenses

  • Preparation and sale of food for longer than 90 consecutive days in a single location requires a food license other than a pop-up license.
  • Mobile sale of food requires a Mobile Food license.
  • A Liquor license is required to serve liquor.

 

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.
  • Applicants will undergo a consultation with the Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection Division to review equipment, sanitation, and required documents.
  • An inspection of pop-up food establishment host premises will be conducted by the Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection Division. Tier II hosts must have a hand sink and temperature control equipment, and Tier III hosts must have all equipment typical of a restaurant in conformity with the Chicago Department of Public Health Food Code Rules.

 

Required Documents 

 

License Application Steps 

 

cost

Tier I Pop Up Food Establishment User
5-day                    $25
30-day                  $50
90-day                  $75
180-day               $100
1-year                   $150


Tier II and III Pop Up Food Establishment User
5-day                    $50
30-day                  $100
90-day                  $150

Tier II Pop Up Food Establishment Host
$150 per year

 

Tier III Pop Up Food Establishment Host
$330 per year

 

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.

 

Operational requirements

  • Pop-up food establishment users may not cater food from the licensed pop-up food establishment location.
  • Pop-up food businesses may not operate out of a vehicle or home.
  • Pop-up food establishment users must keep a written record containing information about each pop-up location utilized, including: the address, the owner’s name, dates and times of operation, a copy of all agreements with the owner of the premises, and the name of the person holding a City of Chicago Food Service Manager Certificate during the operation of any Tier II or III pop-up food establishment.
  • Pop-up food establishment hosts must keep a written record containing information including a list of all users operating at the location, a copy of the menu approved by the Chicago Department of Public Health for each user, a list of dates and times each user operates at the location, the name of the person holding a City of Chicago Food Service Manager Certificate for any Tier II or III user, and a copy of all agreements with the user.
  • Pop-up users cannot sell alcohol or tobacco.

 

Renewal Requirements 

While Pop Up Food Host Licenses may be re-issued for consecutive terms once the license expires, Pop Up User Licenses are not renewable. For renewal information, see the Renewal page.

 

resources

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