Before you begin 

Look at our information about:  

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

Requirements 

You may:

• Sell coffee from a coffee maker, pastries in a display case, and candies in bulk containers if you have an NSF approved three compartment ware-washing sink with two drain boards and a hand washing sink.
• Sell pre-washed (by supplier), ready-to-eat, single-serving fruits and vegetables if you have a hand washing sink.
• Have a commercial-grade microwave oven or freezer.

You must:

• Have American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accredited certification for refrigeration.
• Follow State and City regulations:
  • See Minnesota Food Code
  • See Minneapolis Food Code
• Record some employee illnesses:
  • Read about employee illness
  • See Sick and Safe Time resources for food businesses

You may not package or repackage food.

Food safety

See City and State food safety resources:

• Minneapolis Food Safety 
• Minnesota Food Business Safety 

Application

Convenience stores in Minneapolis are required to be licensed. 

See Convenience Store 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

Green To Go

Minneapolis has rules about containers for prepared food. 

Food and beverages prepared to be:

• Eaten immediately off-site or
• Taken to-go

Must be in containers that are:  

• Reusable 
• Recyclable or
• Compostable

Read more about required containers

Read City code rules

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.