Licenses and permits to open a milk tea shop in Philadelphia
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 8 filings, in the order they're made.
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.
LLC formation
Pennsylvania Department of StatePA
Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.
- Fee
- $125
- Filed
- Filed online
Pennsylvania tax registration (sales tax license and employer accounts)
Pennsylvania Department of RevenuePA
Register in myPATH (new customers don't need to log in) for sales, use and hotel occupancy tax, employer withholding and unemployment compensation.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- The Department of Revenue doesn't publish how long myPATH registration takes to issue a sales tax license.
Philadelphia food safety certificate
Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Environmental Health ServicesPhiladelphia
Every food business has at least one person certified in food safety at all times. Take a food manager safety course with an approved provider, send the training certificate to the Health Department for checking, then apply for the city certificate online, or in person or by mail with a money order.
- Fee
- $30
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Checking the training certificate takes up to 10 business days, and the certificate itself up to 30 business days.
Philadelphia tax account (BIRT and Wage Tax)
City of Philadelphia Department of RevenuePhiladelphia
Register the business as a new taxpayer on the Philadelphia Tax Center to get a Philadelphia Tax Identification Number, used for the Business Income and Receipts Tax and, with staff, the Wage Tax. The paper application can also apply for the Commercial Activity License.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
Commercial activity license
City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsPhiladelphia
Every person or company doing business in Philadelphia needs it, and should get it before any other business license. Apply in eCLIPSE with the EIN and the BIRT ID, under the legal name on the city tax account, or at the Permit and License Center by appointment.
- Fee
- Free
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Issued automatically online, or while you wait in person.
- Renews
- Doesn't need to be renewed.
Food business plan review
Philadelphia Department of Public Health, Office of Food ProtectionPhiladelphia
Anyone opening a stationary food business applies after zoning is approved and before construction or installing food equipment. Call 215-685-7495 to submit, book an appointment or walk in at 7801 Essington Ave (weekdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). The application covers 13 items, from the site plan to the menu, with a copy of the city food safety certificate.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed in person
- Takes
- A worksheet and fee letter within 30 business days; after you return them, the Health Department replies within 30 business days. Expedited review takes 10 business days.
Food preparation and serving license
City of Philadelphia, Department of Licenses and InspectionsPhiladelphia
For any business that prepares or serves food to the public. Apply in eCLIPSE with the BIRT ID, the Commercial Activity License, proof of occupancy (a license for the same use in the last 3 years, or zoning approval) and the Health Department's License Eligibility Report dated within 30 days.
- Fee
- Varies
- Filed
- Filed online
- Takes
- Online applications are reviewed within 5 business days.
- Renews
- Every year.
More on opening in Philadelphia
Questions people ask
Other businesses in Philadelphia
Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.
Was this page helpful?
Get the plan for your milk tea shop in Philadelphia
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