In short
- Most new Texas restaurants look at four layers: business registrations, tax accounts, food safety and city approvals.
- Serving alcohol adds TABC permits and staff certification.
- Many cities and counties issue their own health permits, so start with your city.
- This is a checklist of what to look up. It is not legal advice, and it lists no fees or timelines.
On this page
Planning a restaurant? This Texas restaurant permits checklist lists the registrations and permits owners usually need to look up, in a sensible order, with a link to the official page for each. Fees, forms and timelines change, so each agency is the source of truth.
Not legal advice. Requirements depend on your city, county, business structure, menu and whether you serve alcohol. Confirm every item with the agency named, and ask an accountant or attorney about your own case.
The usual order of operations
- Check zoning for the address
Before you sign a lease, ask your city planning office whether a restaurant is allowed at that address and what the building needs.
- Register your business name and structure
The Secretary of State publishes the forms for registering a business entity or assumed name. Where to file depends on your structure, so read the form instructions.
- Get an EIN
The IRS explains how to get an employer identification number. Banks and payroll usually ask for it.
- Open your tax accounts
Sales tax with the Comptroller, and unemployment tax with the Texas Workforce Commission if you will have employees.
- Apply for the food permit and city approvals
Health permit, building and fire items below. Start early since inspections often depend on each other.
- Add TABC permits if you serve alcohol
Choose the permit type that fits your model, then train staff.
Business and tax registrations
- Entity or assumed name. Look at the Secretary of State forms page to see which form matches an LLC, corporation or a name you trade under.
- EIN. Apply through the IRS page on getting an employer identification number.
- Sales tax permit. The Comptroller explains the sales and use tax permit. Restaurants selling food generally need to collect sales tax, so confirm how it applies to you.
- Unemployment tax account. Employers register through the Texas Workforce Commission unemployment tax services.
Food safety permits and training
| Item | What to look up |
|---|---|
| Retail food permit | DSHS retail food establishment permits. Many cities and counties permit locally, so ask your local health department first. |
| Certified food manager | DSHS certified food manager training programs |
| Food handler training | DSHS food handler training programs |
Ask one question locally: "Which agency permits and inspects a restaurant at this address, and what plans do you need to see before I build out?" The answer decides the rest of the food-safety path.
Serving alcohol? Add TABC
- Pick the permit type. TABC lists each license and permit type and what it allows.
- Apply for a new permit. Follow TABC's page on new licenses and permits.
- Train staff. See TABC seller-server certification and ask TABC what applies to your permit.
City items to ask about
These come from your city (or county outside city limits), not the state. Names and steps vary, so call or visit the permitting office.
- Zoning approval for restaurant use at the address
- Building permit for build-out, remodeling or equipment work
- Certificate of occupancy before you open
- Fire inspection and any fire-code items
- Sign permit before you hang a sign
Opening a truck instead? See our Texas food truck permits checklist: since July 2026 the state licenses mobile food vendors.
Where this fits with TX Openings
Many of the filings above leave public records. TX Openings tracks new Texas restaurants and bars from TABC and Comptroller data, mostly for vendors. If you are the restaurant, you may find the cost tools useful: the food cost calculator and break-even calculator. When you are ready to take orders without an app commission, we also build direct ordering pages for Texas restaurants.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a TABC permit to open a restaurant in Texas?
Only if you will sell or serve alcohol. TABC publishes the permit types and how to apply on its own pages, linked above. A restaurant that does not serve alcohol does not need one.
Who issues the health permit for a restaurant?
It depends on where you are. The state health department (DSHS) has a retail food establishment permit page, but many cities and counties run their own food permits and inspections. Ask your city or county health office which applies to your address.
What should I do first?
Check zoning for the address with your city before signing a lease, and confirm that a restaurant is allowed there. Then register your business name and structure, get your EIN and sales tax permit, and start the health and building applications.
Is this list complete?
No. Requirements depend on your city, your structure, your menu and whether you serve alcohol. This is a starting list of what to look up, not legal advice.
Do food trucks follow the same list?
Many items overlap, but mobile units often have their own permit rules. Ask your local health department and check the DSHS pages for mobile food units.