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Food Service Licenses

Food Service Licenses

Are you thinking of opening a restaurant, coffee shop, bar, catering kitchen, food truck, mobile unit or other food service establishment?

If you primarily serve food that can be immediately consumed, you need a food service license. This page contains more information. Contact your Local Health Department. Examples:
  • Restaurant, cafeteria, grill, cafe, delicatessen
  • Bar, brewpub, tavern, or nightclub
  • Catering truck
Not looking for food service? If you primarily sell, store, or manufacture food (such as a grocery store or food warehouse), you need a Food Establishment license instead. Contact MDARD. 

Who needs a food service license to sell food?

Food service establishments include, but are not limited to, restaurants, cafeterias, coffee shops, sandwich shops, bars, catering kitchens, food concessions, food trucks, mobile units, temporary food service establishments, and transitory food units. These types of establishments are licensed by Local Health Departments—they are not licensed by MDARD. Contact the Local Health Department in your area for help with the licensing process.

On this page, you will also find information on food service establishment license types and requirements. In many cases a plan review is necessary prior to licensing. Please visit the MDARD Plan Review webpage for more information.

Local Health Department Map

Types of Food Service Establishments

  • A pub room during daytime.

    Fixed Food Service Establishment

    A fixed establishment is a facility that is at a permanent location. This is an operation where food or drinks are prepared for direct consumption through service on the premises or elsewhere, or any other eating or drinking establishment or operation where food is served or provided for the public. Examples include, but are not limited to a restaurant, cafeteria, catering kitchen, food concession, theatre, coffee shop, bar or other brick and mortar food service establishment.

    Fixed Food Service Establishment Resources

  • A restaurant food truck parked on a street open for business

    Transitory Food Unit (TFU)

    Previously called Special Transitory Food Unit (STFU)

    Transitory Food Units are permanently licensed food operations, commonly known as food trucks. Transitory Food Units can occur in various physical forms including, but not limited to trailers, pushcarts, vehicles, watercrafts, tents, or other non-fixed food service establishments.

    Transitory Food Unit Resources