Hospitality USA Checklist
The Complete Checklist for Opening a Restaurant in the USA
From health department permits to your first Yelp review, here's everything you need to launch a successful restaurant in America.
VisROI Team • • 15 min read
The U.S. restaurant industry generates over $1 trillion annually. But it's also brutally competitive - 60% of restaurants fail in the first year, 80% within five years. This comprehensive checklist helps you beat the odds.
Phase 1: Business Formation
- ✓ Business entity - LLC most common for restaurants (liability protection)
- ✓ EIN (Tax ID) - Apply at IRS.gov (free, instant)
- ✓ State registration - File with Secretary of State
- ✓ Local business license - City/county requirements
- ✓ Business bank account - Separate from personal finances
- ✓ Business credit card - For expense tracking
Phase 2: Licenses & Permits
Health & Safety
- ✓ Food service license - From local health department
- ✓ Food handler's permits - For all employees (state requirements vary)
- ✓ ServSafe certification - Manager-level food safety certification
- ✓ Fire department permit - Occupancy, fire suppression systems
- ✓ Health department inspection - Pre-opening inspection required
Alcohol (If Applicable)
- ✓ State liquor license - Type varies (beer/wine, full bar)
- ✓ Local liquor license - Some cities require additional permits
- ✓ TIPS/responsible vendor training - Required in many states
Liquor License Timeline
Liquor licenses can take 3-6 months to process. In some states, there are limited licenses available. Start this process immediately after signing your lease.
Other Permits
- ✓ Sign permit - For exterior signage
- ✓ Music license - ASCAP, BMI, SESAC for playing music
- ✓ Outdoor seating permit - If using sidewalk/patio
- ✓ Dumpster permit - Some cities require permits
Phase 3: Location & Build-out
Site Selection
- ✓ Traffic counts - Vehicle and pedestrian traffic data
- ✓ Demographics - Income, age, dining habits of area
- ✓ Competition analysis - What's nearby? What's missing?
- ✓ Parking - Adequate for concept and capacity
- ✓ Lease negotiation - TI allowance, rent abatement, options
Build-out Requirements
- ✓ Architectural plans - Often required for permits
- ✓ Kitchen layout - Work flow, ventilation, utilities
- ✓ ADA compliance - Restrooms, entrances, seating
- ✓ Grease trap - Required for all food service
- ✓ Fire suppression - Hood system, fire extinguishers
Phase 4: Equipment & Systems
- ✓ Commercial kitchen equipment - Ranges, ovens, refrigeration
- ✓ Smallwares - Pots, pans, utensils, plateware
- ✓ POS system - Toast, Square, Clover
- ✓ Kitchen display system - Order management
- ✓ Reservation system - OpenTable, Resy, SevenRooms
- ✓ Accounting software - QuickBooks, Restaurant365
Phase 5: Insurance
- ✓ General liability - $1-2 million coverage minimum
- ✓ Property insurance - Equipment, inventory, build-out
- ✓ Liquor liability - If serving alcohol
- ✓ Workers compensation - Required in most states
- ✓ Business interruption - Covers lost income during closures
- ✓ EPLI - Employment practices liability
Phase 6: Staffing
- ✓ Kitchen staff - Chef, line cooks, prep, dishwashers
- ✓ Front of house - Servers, hosts, bartenders, bussers
- ✓ Management - General manager, assistant managers
- ✓ I-9 verification - Employment eligibility verification
- ✓ W-4 forms - Tax withholding
- ✓ Payroll system - Gusto, ADP, Paychex
- ✓ Tip reporting procedures - IRS compliance
Phase 7: Marketing & Online Presence
Where Diners Find Restaurants
90% of diners research restaurants online before visiting. Your Google presence, reviews, and website matter as much as your food quality.
Essential Digital Setup
- ✓ Professional website - Menu, hours, location, online reservations (see our website service)
- ✓ SEO + AI SEO - Get found on Google and AI assistants (see our SEO service)
- ✓ Yelp business page - Claim and keep it current
- ✓ Instagram - Food photography is essential
- ✓ Facebook page - Events, specials, community
Delivery Platforms
- ✓ DoorDash - Largest market share in US
- ✓ Uber Eats - Major player
- ✓ Grubhub - Strong in urban markets
- ✓ Direct online ordering - Own website ordering saves commission
Fill Your Tables Faster
We help restaurants get found on Google, manage reviews, and automate customer communications. Your food deserves to be discovered.
Estimated Startup Costs
| Category | Cost Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Lease deposit & legal | $30,000 - $100,000 |
| Build-out (2,000 sq ft) | $100,000 - $400,000 |
| Kitchen equipment | $75,000 - $200,000 |
| Furniture & fixtures | $25,000 - $100,000 |
| Licenses & permits | $10,000 - $50,000 |
| Initial inventory | $10,000 - $30,000 |
| Marketing launch | $10,000 - $30,000 |
| Working capital (3 months) | $50,000 - $150,000 |
| Total Estimated | $310,000 - $1,060,000 |
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VisROI Team
Helping restaurants thrive in the digital age.