Sole proprietorship. This is the easiest form to take. Instead of filing paperwork with your state, you register with your county. You report any business profits and losses on your regular IRS Form 1040. However, you are personally responsible for all business debts. If someone gets sick from your food and sues you, then they can get your personal assets. Limited liability company. You create an LLC with your state by filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State’s office at 404-656-2817 or www. sos. ga. gov/corporations. An LLC shields its owners from personal responsibility for business debts. Partnership. Two or more people can form a partnership when they agree to run a business jointly. You don’t have to file paperwork with the state, though you should have a partnership agreement. Like a sole proprietorship, you are personally responsible for partnership debts and other liabilities. Corporation. Corporations are owned by shareholders and file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State’s office. Like LLCs, corporations shield you from personal liability for business debts. Unless your catering operation is really big, you probably won’t form a corporation.
Contact Georgia’s Department of Revenue: https://dor. georgia. gov/. For a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), visit the IRS website here: https://www. irs. gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online. If you’re a sole proprietor, you won’t need an EIN. Instead, you can use your Social Security Number.
Get a list of requirements from city hall or the courthouse so that you will complete everything before applying for your license. You must file an annual registration each year.
You may have to work with a real estate agent to find appropriate commercial space.
Visit http://www. georgiasbdc. org/locations/ for a list of locations. There are 17 locations around the state. [2] X Research source You may have to complete a Business Development Questionnaire. After completing the questionnaire, you will be contacted by a consultant.
You can find accredited food safety programs here: https://www. ansi. org/Accreditation/credentialing/personnel-certification/food-protection-manager/ALLdirectoryListing. aspx?menuID=8&prgID=8&statusID=4.
You can also find the application here: https://dph. georgia. gov/sites/dph. georgia. gov/files/related_files/site_page/EnvHealthFoodPermitAppFSEstabMobileFSOperation. pdf. Submit the completed form to your county office. Keep a copy of the permit application for your records. You must apply at least 10 days before you anticipate opening, so give yourself plenty of time to complete the application.
You should become familiar with the state’s Food Service Rules and Regulations. Talk with other caterers to find out what to expect and if there are any common issues that crop up during the visit.
Also figure out which type of liquor license you need. For example, you might need an off-site event permit to serve alcohol has part of your catering business. [4] X Research source
Generally, your application should be processed within 30 days. In Savannah, for example, it can take up to 45 days for approval. [5] X Research source You’ll need to submit your local approval letter to the state, so secure the local license first. [6] X Research source
If you sell alcohol periodically as part of your catering business, then you will probably want a “special event for profit” license. You must complete some paperwork and pay a fee. The fee will depend on the type of liquor you sell.
