Create a Business Plan
Develop your business idea. Every business starts as an idea. Take advantage of free courses to turn your idea into a business plan. Register for business planning courses.
Seek out business advice. Get feedback on your business idea and plan. Small Business Services (SBS) offers hands-on, intensive, cohort-based instruction for your business plan. Sign up for classes.
Write your business plan. A business plan is a living document that serves as a roadmap for your business. Access an online guide to create your business plan.
Register Your Business
Choose your legal structure. The business's legal structure determines who owns and is legally responsible for your business and affects how you file your taxes. Get free advice on legal structures.
Register your business. Corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships register with New York State. General partnerships and sole proprietorships register with the appropriate county clerk. Get free legal advice.
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An Employer Identification Number (EIN) — also known as a federal Tax ID number — is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the IRS that businesses use for tax filing and reporting purposes. In some instances, if you are a sole proprietor, you may be able to use your Social Security Number for tax filing and reporting purposes instead. Learn more about EIN.
Open bank accounts and retain an accountant and/or bookkeeper.
Finance Your Business
Determine your financing needs. To start your business, you will need money or capital to purchase equipment and run your operations. Increase your chances of getting financing for your business.
Understand your insurance needs. Understand your insurance needs such as workers' compensation, liability, and disability insurance. Some are needed for permits and licenses and protect you from loss, fines, and lawsuits. Managing risk is an essential part of your business. Learn more about insurance.
Identify incentive programs. Your business can benefit from programs that allow you to lower your cost of doing business. Small Business Services (SBS) can help you identify and access energy cost savings, tax credits, and other incentives. Learn more about incentives.
Find, Plan, and Build Your Space
Find a location zoned for your business. Find a location zoned for your business, and at the legally required distance from a school or place of worship if you plan to serve alcohol. Your business location, and the opinion of the local Community Board, will be reviewed for your liquor license application. Learn more about zoning requirements.
Learn more about zoning in your neighborhood. Learn more about zoning in your neighborhood with the Department of City Planning's ZoLa map. Use the ZoLa Map.
Learn about facilities and program sites in your prospective neighborhood. Learn about facilities and program sites in your prospective neighborhood that might impact your business on the Department of City Planning's Facilities Explorer.
Get help understanding and signing your lease. Before signing, talk to a lawyer to make sure the timing is right, the terms are legal, and the agreement is good for you. Get free commercial lease assistance through SBS.
Review your building plans for major and minor construction within your space. Review your building plans for major and minor construction within your space. The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers free plan examinations, and experienced client managers can help you navigate the process. Get help with plan examinations.
Plan your food establishment design. Select and engage architect(s), general contractor(s), and/or interior and kitchen designers to plan any changes and ensure that your space complies with building and fire codes. Make sure your architect and/or contractor is licensed.
Changes to a landmarked property. Changes to a landmarked property or building in a historic district must be approved by the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission before work can begin. Allow time to receive approval. Learn more about work on landmark properties.
If your location will host events where 75 people or more will gather. If your location will host events where 75 people or more will gather, you will need a Place of Assembly Permit. Learn more about the Place of Assembly Permit.
Plan to limit noise. Plan to limit noise from your establishment to avoid fines, and do not play music in front of your business to attract customers. Learn more about the Noise Code.
Limit construction noise. You must create and post a noise mitigation plan to keep noises from bothering neighbors. Failure to do so can result in fines. Learn more about construction noise regulations.
Prepare to Open
Register as a Sales Tax Vendor. Register as a Sales Tax Vendor with the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance to sell products and services, including food and beverages sold by restaurants, taverns, and caterers. Apply early to avoid delays receiving other permits.
Get licensed to serve alcohol. Get licensed to serve alcohol with the NYS Liquor Authority (SLA). Before you begin, be sure you have a Sales Tax ID, insurance, a lease, and a Certificate of Occupancy. Plan ahead as the process requires time, money, and Community Board consultation. In some cases, temporary licenses are granted.
Stoop Line Stand License. Get a Stoop Line Stand License from the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) if your business will sell fruits, vegetables, soft drinks, flowers, confectionery, or ice cream from a stand outside and directly next to an existing store.
Pre-operational inspections. Schedule your pre-operational inspections with the NYC Fire Department (FDNY). Schedule pre-operational inspections.
Food Establishment Permit. Apply for a Food Establishment Permit from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). You may begin to operate on the 22nd day after you submit your application even if you have not been inspected or issued your permit. You will receive an unannounced pre-permit inspection, which you must pass to receive your permit. If you wish to open earlier than 22 days after submitting your permit application, call (212) 676-1600 to schedule a pre-operational inspection.
A Food Protection Certificate holder. A Food Protection Certificate holder must be on site during all hours of operation to supervise food and drink preparation. Ensure you and at least one of your employees, complete the Food Protection Course, available online or in-person at the NYC Health Academy. To avoid possible fines and have more flexibility in staffing/scheduling, it is recommended that you encourage more employees to obtain the food protection certificate.
Frozen desserts. All businesses where frozen desserts are manufactured, processed, assembled, frozen, and stored for sale directly to the consumer are required to obtain a permit from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).
If your business will be using char broilers or cook stoves. If your business will be using char broilers or cook stoves, be sure to register them with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Purchase/lease general equipment. Purchase/lease general equipment such as refrigeration, dishwashing equipment, draft systems, tabletop, small wares, uniforms, beverage systems, and coffee equipment.
Hire a private carting service. Hire a private carting service and arrange your space to comply with commercial recycling rules.
Select a pest control company. It is the building owner and tenant’s responsibility to prevent or address pest infestations on a property. Information is available to help business owners prevent and eliminate pests.
Develop branding & logo design, website, and public relations strategy. The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers free multilingual business courses on every core topic in entrepreneurship, including marketing.
If you use uncommon cooking methods. If you use uncommon cooking methods, such as sous-vide, ensure you have an approved Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan.
Light fuels, such as charcoal and wood, must be stored carefully and in small amounts. Ingredients and equipment, including alcohol and open flames, will affect which permits and licenses you need.
Business signs. Business signs, if nailed or screwed into the building or if illuminated, must be approved by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).
Many environmental regulations and permitting requirements for businesses. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has many environmental regulations and permitting requirements for businesses.
You may need additional permits and/or licenses. You may need additional permits and/or licenses such as a Certificate of Fitness for the Storage, Handling, Use, and Refilling of Non-Flammable Gas Cylinders (G-46) you will be using soda guns or an Open Flame Permit for certain businesses using candles.
Curtains or drapes flameproofed. Be sure to have curtains or drapes flameproofed.
Hire a Team
Explore the Restaurant Hiring, Onboarding, and Training Playbook for tools, templates, tips, and best practices to help you hire, onboard, and train to retain your best employees.
Get help with hiring. Talented workers can help your business succeed. Let Small Business Services (SBS) help you find the right employees. Get help with hiring.
Laws for employers. Employing New Yorkers means following rules about how much to pay, what benefits to provide and more. Learn more about local laws employers must follow.
Minimum wages. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) oversees wage regulations in New York State. Businesses employing people in New York State should consult NYSDOL resources to be aware of wage requirements and regulations. Learn more about minimum wage.
Train your employees. Train your employees, so that your team has the skills your business needs. We can help cover training costs. Learn more about employee training.
Unemployment insurance. It's important to understand your business’ unemployment insurance requirements. Contact the New York State Department of Labor for more information. Learn about unemployment insurance.
Workers' compensation. It's important to understand your workers' compensation insurance requirements for your business. Contact the New York State Department of Labor for more information. Learn about workers' compensation insurance.
Open and Operate
Display the correct licenses and required posters. Use the NYC Checklist for Required Signs for Restaurants and Bars to ensure you display the correct licenses and required posters.
Select the right technology for your business. Select the right technology for your business, including a Point of Sale (POS) system, reservation platform, and credit card processor.
Purchase. Purchase paper goods, office supplies, cleaning supplies, and other basics.
Resuscitation equipment. All taverns and restaurants that sell food for on-premises consumption are required to have resuscitation equipment, including: one (1) adult exhaled resuscitation mask, one (1) pediatric exhaled resuscitation mask, and two (2) pairs of latex gloves. Masks must be certified for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Bars and restaurants may need various music licenses. Bars and restaurants may need various music licensesfrom performing rights organizations (PROs), such as Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC), and Global Music Rights (GMR), to play music (live, recorded or from a streaming service). Make sure you have permission to avoid costly claims.
Give customers clear receipts. Show prices and print your business name and address on your invoices and receipts.
Prepare and pay your taxes. Learn about taxes in NYC.
Get permits and limit air pollution. If you release fumes into the air, you may be subject to the New York City Air Pollution Control Code (Air Code).
Hazardous materials above threshold amounts. Hazardous materials above threshold amounts must be registered under NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s Right-to-Know program. Many common materials such as paint, solvents, inks, pool chemicals, and cleaning products can have hazardous characteristics. Learn more about Right-To-Know.
Train your employees on sexual harassment prevention. You must do so under state law. Learn more about sexual harassment training.
First Course NYC employer partner. If you have an ongoing need for qualified, full-time restaurant cooks, express interest in becoming a First Course NYC employer partner.