Food Business Start-up Checklist

    

Getting Started

• Use the information on this website to decide which business route to follow
• Use this Legal Requirements for Connecticut Food Businesses as supplemental material to the content of this website
• Check out this FAQs page for business entities in Connecticut.

Business registration with the State of Connecticut

• Do a name check with the State of Connecticut. If you may expand your business outside of the state in the future, do a United States name check and Trademark Search.
• Choose a legal structure: you may want to consult a lawyer for this piece. Once you choose one, visit this Forms Index for all forms necessary to submit for each legal structure. See the section of this toolkit on Cooperative (co-op) models if you are interested in pursuing that route!
• Get your Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) for free here.
  
• Complete Connecticut tax registration.

For brick-and-mortar businesses

• Obtain approval from New Haven City Plan about your presumed location.
• Submit a floor plan for plan review to the following entities for approval: Zoning (City Plan), Building Department, Fire Marshal, Tax Office, Water Pollution Control Authority, Health Department
• Complete your Employer Status Report for Unemployment Compensation here.
  
• Register for Connecticut Paid Leave Program here.
  

For vending/mobile businesses

• If you can stand inside your cart or truck, Fire Marshal approval is required. Visit the City of New Haven Fire Department for an inspection for approval. A sign-off must be included on your Health Department application.
• Apply for a vending license with the City of New Haven Building Department.
  
• Make sure to register your commercial vehicle if using a food truck.
  
• Consider special vending districts and associated permits and permitting schedules. Special vending license application is in the Mobile businesses section.
  

For all food businesses in New Haven

• Develop your menu.
• Obtain a Certified Food Protection Managers Certificate (for food-service or restaurant establishments) or a Certified Food Handler Certificate (for cottage food or micro-food producers) through a Connecticut State-approved provider.
  
• Complete a City of New Haven Health Department application and additional information application on the online CitySquared platform using information above to submit (does not apply to cottage food).
  

Insurance

• Purchase Workers’ Compensation Insurance.
• Consider other business insurances.
  
• If you are working out of a shared kitchen space, they may require you to obtain an insurance policy that protects them from liability.

Additional permits to consider

• Liquor Permit if you plan to sell alcohol
• Weights & Measures License for those selling products whose cost is determined by the weight, measure, or number of items.
• Bakery License for those who plan to sell baked goods (full definition here).
• Frozen Dessert Retail License for those who plan to sell frozen desserts
• Lottery Sales Agent License for those who plan to sell lottery tickets
• Vending Machine Operator License for those who would like to operate a vending machine

Local business assistance

Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce: 900 Chapel Street, 10th floor

SCORE New Haven: 20 Church Street, (203) 865-7645

Legal Food Hub: pro bono legal assistance for food business start-ups