Licenses and permits to open a hot pot restaurant in Austin

Tabletop cooking adds questions for the build-out and fire review, so the plan for the space matters more than usual. Here are the 14 filings, in the order they're made.

Updated October 15, 202614 filingsSources: the agencies' own sites

Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

Fee
Free
Filed
Paper form, faxed or mailed
Takes
Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Certificate of Formation (Texas LLC)

Texas Secretary of StateTexas

Filed online in SOSDirect, or by mail or fax.

Fee
$300
Filed
Filed online
Takes
No standard time published; paid expedited service typically takes 2 to 3 business days.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Assumed Name Certificate (DBA)

Texas Secretary of StateTexas

Filed when the store trades under a name other than the legal name.

Fee
$25
Filed
Filed online
Takes
No standard time published; paid expedited service typically takes 2 to 3 business days.
Renews
Valid up to 10 years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit Application

Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas

Apply online in eSystems before your first sale; one permit for each location.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Permit arrives in about 2 to 3 weeks.
Renews
Does not expire.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Certified food manager

Texas Department of State Health ServicesTexas

At least one manager passes an exam from a DSHS-licensed certified food manager program. Local health departments require a certified food manager on site whenever the place is open.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
DSHS doesn't issue the certificate itself; the accredited exam provider issues it as soon as you pass the exam.
Renews
Every 5 years.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food handler certificates for staff

Texas Department of State Health ServicesTexas

Every employee who works with unpackaged food, equipment or food-contact surfaces finishes an accredited food handler course within 30 days of hire. Certified food managers are exempt.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Each food employee must complete an accredited food handler course within 30 days of being hired; the training provider issues the card.
Renews
Valid to the date on the card, or 2 years if none.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Unemployment tax account

Texas Workforce CommissionTexas

Register online once you pay wages in Texas.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Account number issued instantly online.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Certificate of Occupancy

City of Austin Development ServicesAustin

Needed when the space's use changes or after construction; it may include a site plan exemption and building plan review. For a food business it comes through Austin Public Health's pre-opening inspection.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
Change-of-use reviews now take about two weeks (three review disciplines since October 2025).

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Building permit for a tenant finish-out

City of Austin Development ServicesAustin

Apply with the city's commercial building permit web form (not AB+C) to build, alter or convert the space, with plans for commercial plan review.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Commercial plan review for a remodel up to 25,000 sq ft takes 10 business days; small projects, such as a finish-out under 10,000 sq ft, take 5 business days.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food establishment plan review

City of Austin Development Services, with Austin Public HealthAustin

For new construction or a remodel: inside the City of Austin, apply online through Development Services; in unincorporated Travis County, through Austin Public Health's My Health Department portal.

Fee
$312
Filed
Filed online
Takes
Inside the City of Austin, the food plan review is submitted with the commercial building application, whose review takes 10 business days for a remodel up to 25,000 sq ft (5 for small projects).

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Pre-opening health inspection

Austin Public Health, Environmental Health ServicesAustin

Apply on the My Health Department portal (Retail and Wholesale Food Applications, Pre-Opening Inspection), in person at 1520 Rutherford Ln, or by mail. Needed for a new place, a remodel or a change of owner; the place must pass before the permit is issued.

Fee
$178
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
Austin Public Health doesn't publish how soon a pre-opening inspection happens; you apply once the space is built, and you must pass before the permit is issued.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Food enterprise permit (fixed food establishment)

Austin Public Health, Environmental Health ServicesAustin

Issued after the pre-opening inspection passes. Apply on the My Health Department portal (Food Enterprise, Operational Permit Application) or in person at 1520 Rutherford Ln; the form says mailed applications are not accepted. A certified food manager must be on site whenever the place is open.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
Austin Public Health doesn't publish a processing time; the operating permit is issued after the pre-opening inspection is approved.
Renews
Every year, one year from the issue date. The renewal notice comes 45 days before.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Sign permit

City of Austin Development ServicesAustin

Any outdoor sign (wall, awning, projecting, freestanding, roof) needs a permit, applied for on the AB+C portal.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
Austin doesn't publish a review time for sign permits; staff review the application once the review fee is paid and email you the decision.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Franchise tax annual report

Texas Comptroller of Public AccountsTexas

Filed every year by May 15, even when no tax is due.

Fee
Free
Filed
Filed online
Takes
The Comptroller doesn't publish a processing time for the report; the annual franchise tax report is due May 15 (next business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday).
Renews
Every year by May 15.

File on the agency's site How to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a hot pot restaurant in Austin</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>Certificate of Formation (Texas LLC) (Texas Secretary of State)</li><li>Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) (Texas Secretary of State)</li><li>Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit Application (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)</li><li>Certified food manager (Texas Department of State Health Services)</li><li>Food handler certificates for staff (Texas Department of State Health Services)</li><li>Unemployment tax account (Texas Workforce Commission)</li><li>Certificate of Occupancy (City of Austin Development Services)</li><li>Building permit for a tenant finish-out (City of Austin Development Services)</li><li>Food establishment plan review (City of Austin Development Services, with Austin Public Health)</li><li>Pre-opening health inspection (Austin Public Health, Environmental Health Services)</li><li>Food enterprise permit (fixed food establishment) (Austin Public Health, Environmental Health Services)</li><li>Sign permit (City of Austin Development Services)</li><li>Franchise tax annual report (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/austin/hot-pot-restaurant.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Questions people ask

Other businesses in Austin

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.

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This guide covers the city. Your exact address decides the county, the health district and the zoning. Placetta maps every filing for it, fills the official forms from your details, adds the deadlines and puts them up for your approval.

The full list for your address, in filing order
The official forms, filled line by line
Renewal and inspection reminders

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Questions people ask

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