Caterer

Restaurants and other businesses that prepare or serve food at an event must be licensed by the City.

Definition

Caterers prepare or serve food, or both, at private events with a predetermined guest list.

Event examples:

Receptions
Parties
Conferences
Weddings
Trade shows

What to know

If you serve or plate food on-site, you need a catering license.
Caterers may not cook or prepare food on-site.
If you serve alcohol, you also must have a Liquor Caterers license.
You do not need a license for food delivery, such as:
- Box lunches
- Pizza

Before you begin

Look at our information about: 

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:

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:

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