License Overview 

A City of Chicago Wholesale Food Establishment license is required any time food is prepared, stored, sold, or distributed at wholesale from a building or other fixed establishment. This includes but is not limited to storage establishments, confectionary manufacturers, slaughtering and packing establishments, milk plants, and frozen dessert plants. 

related licenses

• The preparation, storage, sale or distribution of food at retail requires a Retail Food Establishment license. If a person engages in both retail and wholesale food sales at the same establishment, only a City of Chicago Retail Food Establishment license is required.
• 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. Operators in a shared kitchen require a Shared Kitchen User license. Shared Kitchen User licensees do not require a City of Chicago Wholesale Food Establishment license to sell food at wholesale, however the wholesale designation must be added to the Shared Kitchen User 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.
• Submit a wholesale application to the State of Illinois and undergo the associated State inspection.
• Meet with the Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection Division for a wholesale consultation.

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
• State wholesale inspection report
• Additional documents may be required by the Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection Division.

License Overview 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.
• Receive license once all requirements are met

The required State wholesale application may be pursued in parallel with the above City licensing steps. 

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

cost

The cost for a Wholesale Food Establishment license is $1,320.

License Overview 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.

renewal requirements

A Wholesale Food Establishment license is issued for a period of two years and must be renewed prior to expiration. 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