Before you begin 

Look at our information about:  

• How to open a business 
• Sewer Availability Charges (SAC) 

Requirements

Caterers must:

• Avoid selling individual meals or foods. Companies may use a licensed caterer to provide meals for employees, tenants, or guests.
• Use a vehicle which meets all the requirements when transporting food. You must have a vehicle inspection. See the fee for the vehicle inspection  
• Keep the food service area restricted to only employees, tenants, and guests. It may not be open to the general public. 
• Use approved food transport containers.
• Have temporary handwashing in the food service area.
• Record some employee illnesses:
  • Read about employee illness
  • See Sick and Safe Time resources for food businesses

Food safety

You are responsible for food safety. This includes control of food from preparation to serving customers.

See City and State food safety resources:

• Minneapolis Food Safety 
• Minnesota Food Business Safety 
• Minnesota Food Code
• Minneapolis Food Code

Application

Catering businesses in Minneapolis must be licensed. 

See Caterer Application

Businesses with a restaurant or an on-sale alcohol license in Minneapolis

If your business already has a restaurant or on-sale alcohol license from the City and you want to add catering, use the Caterer, Add a license application. You must have the same ownership and kitchen.

See Caterer, Add a License Application

Fee

Find your license fee

Submit your application

Submit your application to Business Licenses & Consumer Services

If you have questions, contact:

• 311
• Business Licenses

Food plan review

You must submit plans to: 

• Open a new food or alcohol business, including:
  • Food carts
  • Food kiosks
  • Food trucks 
• Remodel or expand an existing food or alcohol business 
• Replace food equipment that needs any of these permits for installation:
  • Gas
  • Mechanical
  • Plumbing  
• Add ventless cooking equipment or ventless hoods  

The City must approve your plans before you start any work.   

See Food plan review

More information

Complaints

Report a complaint about a food or restaurant business

Inspection

Your food handling methods determine how often the City will inspect your business.

Disclaimer 

The information on this page should serve as a guideline only.