Catering Business Permit Requirements in Minneapolis, MN

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Food Handler License

   As of August 1, 2025 the Minnesota Department of Agriculture consolidated its separate food licence classifications into a single Food Handler licence. A caterer operating across multiple counties or selling packaged food products holds this licence, which covers food safety compliance and facility inspection. Farm product sales and registered cottage food operations are excluded.

   Official government source

   A $50 non-refundable application fee for a new business, plus the annual licence fee set by gross sales and food safety risk in Minn. Stat. 28A.08: under $50,000 in gross sales it is $135 low risk, $195 medium and $285 high; $50,001-$125,000 is $200, $260 and $350; $125,001-$250,000 is $265, $350 and $415; the table runs up to $4,350-$4,500 above $100 million. Late renewal and operating-without-a-licence penalties are set in the same table.·About 30 to 45 days from receipt of a complete applicant form

   A $50 non-refundable application fee for a new business, plus the annual licence fee set by gross sales and food safety risk in Minn. Stat. 28A.08: under $50,000 in gross sales it is $135 low risk, $195 medium and $285 high; $50,001-$125,000 is $200, $260 and $350; $125,001-$250,000 is $265, $350 and $415; the table runs up to $4,350-$4,500 above $100 million. Late renewal and operating-without-a-licence penalties are set in the same table.

   About 30 to 45 days from receipt of a complete applicant form

2. Food Safety Manager Certification (Minnesota CFPM)

   Minnesota's food code requires most food establishments, caterers included, to employ at least one Certified Food Protection Manager. You attend an approved training course, pass an exam from an MDH-approved exam company, then apply to the Minnesota Department of Health through its online licensing system. MDH does not itself offer the training — approved private companies and delegated agencies do. All staff handling food must also meet Minnesota Food Code training requirements.

   Official government source

   The course and exam are bought from an MDH-approved private exam company such as ServSafe and priced by that company; MDH then charges an application fee paid online with the initial or renewal application. MDH does not publish the application fee amount on its CFPM pages.·Apply no more than six months after passing the exam — an older exam certificate cannot be used. The Minnesota CFPM is valid for three years; renewal requires at least four hours of approved continuing education before expiry, and renewal paperwork may be filed up to six months after the expiration date.

   The course and exam are bought from an MDH-approved private exam company such as ServSafe and priced by that company; MDH then charges an application fee paid online with the initial or renewal application. MDH does not publish the application fee amount on its CFPM pages.

   Apply no more than six months after passing the exam — an older exam certificate cannot be used. The Minnesota CFPM is valid for three years; renewal requires at least four hours of approved continuing education before expiry, and renewal paperwork may be filed up to six months after the expiration date.

3. Minnesota Secretary of State Business Registration

   All formal business entities operating in Minnesota must register with the Minnesota Secretary of State. An LLC is strongly recommended for catering businesses because of the liability exposure at events.

   Official government source

   $155 to file LLC Articles of Organization online or in person, $135 by mail; annual renewal is free·Immediate (online or in person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

   $155 to file LLC Articles of Organization online or in person, $135 by mail; annual renewal is free

   Immediate (online or in person); 4-7 business days if filed by mail

4. Minnesota Department of Revenue Sales Tax License

   Catering services in Minnesota are generally subject to sales tax. Caterers must register for a sales tax license with the Minnesota Department of Revenue and collect and remit applicable state and local sales taxes on taxable services.

   Official government source

   Free·1 week

   Free

   1 week

1. City of Minneapolis Food License (Caterer)

   Caterers operating in Minneapolis are licensed by the City of Minneapolis (Food License -- Caterer category, via Business Licenses & Consumer Services / Environmental Health), not Hennepin County. Minneapolis runs its own food licensing program and is not regulated by Hennepin County Environmental Health. A licensed commissary kitchen is required; renewal is annual.

   Official government source

   $431 a year (licensed kitchen 1,000 sq ft or less), rising by kitchen size to $1,706 (15,001+ sq ft), per the City of Minneapolis License Fee Schedule·Annual license; food plan review is required before opening

   $431 a year (licensed kitchen 1,000 sq ft or less), rising by kitchen size to $1,706 (15,001+ sq ft), per the City of Minneapolis License Fee Schedule

   Annual license; food plan review is required before opening

2. City of Minneapolis Food License (Caterer)

   Caterers serving private events in Minneapolis must hold a Caterer food license, issued by Business Licenses & Consumer Services with Environmental Health food plan review. Caterers may serve and plate food on site but may not cook or prepare it there, and the license may not be used at public events. Serving alcohol requires a separate liquor caterer's license. The license renews annually.

   Official government source

   Annual fee by facility size (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule): $431 for 1,000 sq. ft. or less, $567 for 1,001-3,000, $719 for 3,001-5,000, $856 for 5,001-7,000, $1,003 for 7,001-9,000, $1,139 for 9,001-11,000, $1,286 for 11,001-13,000, $1,423 for 13,001-15,000, and $1,706 for 15,001+ sq. ft. A separate food establishment plan review fee applies to a new business or remodel.·Food plans must be submitted and approved by the City before any work begins; the license is issued after plan review and inspection

   Annual fee by facility size (2026 Minneapolis License Fee Schedule): $431 for 1,000 sq. ft. or less, $567 for 1,001-3,000, $719 for 3,001-5,000, $856 for 5,001-7,000, $1,003 for 7,001-9,000, $1,139 for 9,001-11,000, $1,286 for 11,001-13,000, $1,423 for 13,001-15,000, and $1,706 for 15,001+ sq. ft. A separate food establishment plan review fee applies to a new business or remodel.

   Food plans must be submitted and approved by the City before any work begins; the license is issued after plan review and inspection

3. City of Minneapolis Commissary Kitchen Requirement (Caterer License)

   Caterers operating in Minneapolis must prepare food at a licensed kitchen as part of the City of Minneapolis's own Food License (Caterer) process (Business Licenses & Consumer Services / Environmental Health). Minneapolis is NOT regulated by Hennepin County Environmental Health for food licensing.

   Official government source

   Commissary kitchen rental is a private market rate set by the kitchen operator and is not published by the City; the City of Minneapolis caterer license itself costs $431 a year (kitchen 1,000 sq ft or less) up to $1,706 (15,001+ sq ft)·Arrange the licensed kitchen before applying — Minneapolis caterers may not cook or prepare food on-site at events

   Commissary kitchen rental is a private market rate set by the kitchen operator and is not published by the City; the City of Minneapolis caterer license itself costs $431 a year (kitchen 1,000 sq ft or less) up to $1,706 (15,001+ sq ft)

   Arrange the licensed kitchen before applying — Minneapolis caterers may not cook or prepare food on-site at events

Official Sources

• Hennepin County Environmental Health — Food Businesses
• Minnesota Department of Agriculture — Food Licensing
• City of Minneapolis — Business Licenses
• Minnesota Department of Revenue — Sales Tax

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