Even if your county is keeping bars closed, your business can be open safely in no time
We don’t need to tell you how hard the COVID-19 pandemic has been for Texas bar and restaurant owners. While we all continue to navigate this public health crisis, the health of your business is also at stake.
In August, the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) introduced new policies with accommodations for bars to reopen as restaurants. Then, most recently in October, Governor Abbott announced Texas bars can reopen at half capacity if permitted by the county.
If there is one thing we all know, it’s that protocols are continuously evolving during this pandemic. It can be hard to follow which option is best for your business to take.
Although Governor Abbott has allowed bars to re-open in Texas, several major counties continue to keep them closed. Is your bar located in Dallas, Harris, or Travis county? These populous areas are not allowing bars to reopen yet.
If your county does not allow bars to re-open, the good news is new TABC rules provide an option for you.
By recharacterizing your business as a “restaurant” with the TABC, you can get your doors open even if bars stay closed in your county.
Like most business operations, standard health protocols such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, and reduced capacities continue to be in place whether you are open as a bar or a restaurant. However, one of the benefits to opening as a restaurant is a 75% capacity limit, as opposed to a 50% limit to bars.
The requirements for being a restaurant used to be more demanding before the new TABC policies. But things have changed and it’s a relief for bar owners.
Now it’s okay if your bar does not have the features of a full-service restaurant. The new TABC rules for opening a bar as a restaurant in Texas are much more accommodating during COVID-19.
So why aren’t more Texas bars going through this process?
A new set of paperwork may seem intimidating, especially if you are unsure whether it’s worth the trouble.
But getting your Texas bar switched to a restaurant status is worth it! Even more so if your county limits bar operations despite permissions from Governor Abbott.
For a brief amount of time and an investment of $776, you can mitigate financial losses during COVID-19 and get your Texas bar back in business within days.
Are you a permit holder who does not currently have a TABC Food and Beverage Certificate? Follow this step by step process for achieving restaurant status with the TABC.
Meet the TABC Food Service Requirements
To be considered a “restaurant,” the TABC will want to confirm that you have “food service facilities” at your location. According to the TABC industry notice, a “food service facility” means your establishment has a designated, permanent area where food can be stored and prepared for consumption on-site.
This doesn’t have to be a kitchen with commercial cooking equipment. It could also be a food truck operated by you or another vendor on your property. It could even be a smaller scale cooking facility where you prepare an assortment of pre-packaged items to sell at your location.
The TABC also requires that you serve at least two entrees and receive over 50% of your total sales from non-alcoholic beverage purchases. If you have a food truck vendor selling food onsite, you can simply collect their sales for reporting.
Otherwise, grill up a delicious burger, build your best taco creation, or pile up a plate of nachos! Use this opportunity to get creative and pick the perfect food pairings with your drinks.
Check Your Primary Permit Renewal Date
Do you know when your primary permit (typically a mixed beverage permit or wine and beer retailer permit) expires? This is important because a new TABC food and beverage certificate will only last you until your primary permit expires.
For example: if your mixed beverage permit expires in December and you receive your food and beverage certificate in November, you will end up owing the full fee for the food and beverage certificate in November and again in December. The TABC will not prorate these fees.
With this in mind, it may be worth it to adjust your timing depending on the renewal date of your primary permit. Doing so could help you avoid paying for your food and beverage certificate twice within a short period of time.
Complete the TABC Food and Beverage Certificate Application Form and Payment
Alright, now to the paperwork.
To process your food and beverage certificate, you must complete the “TABC Location Packet for Reporting Changes for Retailers” found on the TABC website. Tip: you only need to fill out sections 1-8, 11, and 21.
Our Storm Liquor License team has all the information you need to complete your application form. If you’re looking for help, contact us.
When the paperwork is complete, scan and email it to licensing@tabc.texas.gov for submission. At this point, you will also be able to complete your payment to the TABC.
The cost of a TABC Food and Beverage certificate is $776 for two years or until your primary permit expires. Payments can be made via check and mailed to TABC, Attn: Licensing Division P.O. Box 13127, Austin, Texas 78711. You can also ship via FedEx to TABC, Attn: Licensing Division, 5806 Mesa Drive, Austin, Texas 78731.
You should receive a confirmation email for your application form within a few days. If you don’t hear anything after five days, reach out to the Licensing Division at TABC headquarters for the status of your application.
Until then, sit back, pour yourself a cold one, and wait to hear from your TABC licensing specialist.
Complete Your Application With a TABC Licensing Specialist.
After a few days, you will receive a confirmation email from a TABC licensing specialist who is processing your application.
If you haven’t paid your processing fee then your licensing specialist will need a payment to move forward. Otherwise, once you receive your confirmation, you are good to go!
Your Food and Beverage Certificate will typically be issued the same day or the next day if the TABC has already received your payment.
Stuck on how to complete this part of the application? Our team can help walk you through it!
Once your food and beverage certificate is approved, you will receive a “letter of authority” from your TABC licensing specialist. This is the temporary permit you need to get back in business!
This crucial piece of paper will characterize you as a restaurant in the state of Texas. Now you can get back to operation according to the regulations set in place by Governor Abbott. Have your new food and beverage certificate and Blue Gun Sign designation on display and get your doors open safely!
Tip: you can always confirm your location’s restaurant status by looking up your permit number on the TABC Public Inquiry site. If “FB” is listed in the lower left-hand corner as one of your “subordinates” and your permit’s “Gun Sign” in the lower left-hand corner is listed as “Blue,” then you are good to go. You can also print your record from the public inquiry site for posting if necessary.
We’re Here For You During the Pandemic, And Always
The Storm Liquor License team wishes you the best of luck with your business during these difficult times.
A lot is changing right now and it’s hard to keep up. But that’s why we’re here.
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