Licenses and permits to open a milk tea shop in Dallas

A tea shop that makes drinks to order is a food service business, so the health permit and food safety training apply even with no kitchen. 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 Dallas Planning and DevelopmentDallas

Apply on DallasNow with the land use questionnaire, plus site and floor plans if the use is changing. Needed for a new tenant or a change of use.

Fee
$375
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
Dallas's goal is to review a CO application within 15 business days on average, though its CO page notes processing times differ based on demand.

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

City of Dallas Planning and DevelopmentDallas

Apply on DallasNow under Commercial Permits, upload the plans and checklists, and pay online.

Fee
Varies
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
Dallas's goal for a commercial alteration/addition is an initial plan review within 15 business days and a resubmittal review within 7.

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

City of Dallas Planning and Development, Health Plan ReviewDallas

Submit two sets of plans, equipment sheets, finishes and the menu at 320 E. Jefferson Blvd., where the plans are reviewed and stamped.

Fee
$200
Filed
Filed in person
Takes
Dallas's goal for the Health team's initial plan review is 15 business days.

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

City of Dallas Code Compliance, Consumer HealthDallas

File CCS-FRM-424 with photo ID, the Texas sales tax permit and the fee, then book the health inspection. A registered food manager must be on site.

Fee
$121
Filed
Filed in person
Takes
Consumer Health doesn't publish a processing time; after you apply, you schedule and coordinate the required health inspections with your permitting inspector.
Renews
Every year, due December 31.

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

City of Dallas Planning and DevelopmentDallas

A registered sign contractor applies on DallasNow once the Certificate of Occupancy is approved.

Fee
$296
Filed
Filed on the agency's portal
Takes
Typically about two business days if everything required is submitted.

File on the agency's site How to fill it
Kitchen hood fire-extinguishing system permit

Dallas Fire-RescueDallas

Get the application from Dallas Fire-Rescue, 1551 Baylor St., Suite 400.

Fee
$250
Filed
Filed in person
Takes
Dallas doesn't publish a review time for kitchen hood fire-extinguishing system permits; its published goals cover only fire alarm, sprinkler and flammable-liquid reviews.

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 milk tea shop in Dallas</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 Dallas Planning and Development)</li><li>Building permit for tenant finish-out (City of Dallas Planning and Development)</li><li>Food establishment plan review (City of Dallas Planning and Development, Health Plan Review)</li><li>Food establishment permit (City of Dallas Code Compliance, Consumer Health)</li><li>Sign permit (City of Dallas Planning and Development)</li><li>Kitchen hood fire-extinguishing system permit (Dallas Fire-Rescue)</li><li>Franchise tax annual report (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/dallas/milk-tea-shop.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>

Questions people ask

Other businesses in Dallas

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

Get the plan for your milk tea shop in Dallas

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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