Article: You will need to have some kind of legal structure for your business. Consulting with an expert, such as a small business attorney or a Small Business Administration office, will help you make sure that your business gets what it needs to succeed.  A small business attorney can help you figure out what the best structure will be for your needs. An attorney will also be able to guide you through the process of obtaining permits and licenses, as well as ensuring that you comply with any regulations in your area. The US Small Business Administration has District Offices throughout the country that offer free counseling and advice about how to start a small business. You can find a local office on their website. They also have over 900 “Small Business Development Centers” (SBDCs) that can help you plan and execute your business decisions. Many restaurant and coffee shop owners go with a Limited Liability Company (LLC), which protects your personal assets in case the business runs into trouble. While you can run your business as a “sole proprietorship,” this is usually not a good idea, as your personal assets are usually on the line if your business incurs liabilities. You may also want to consult with a small business accountant. The work of running your restaurant may be so much that you need to hand the bookkeeping over to someone else. Restaurants and coffee shops are small businesses, so they must be located within a commercial zone. You must acquire the necessary permits and other documentation before proceeding.  Most areas will not allow you to sell food or beverages unless you have a commercial kitchen on-site. This means that home-based businesses are usually out. The SBA has a “Permit Me” tool that will help you determine what licenses and permits your state requires. Health codes vary depending on your location, but in order to establish a business that will sell food and/or drinks, you must comply with all the local regulations regarding food safety.  Be aware that you will generally need to submit your application to your local environmental health department at least a month in advance of opening your business. You should also be aware of any particular regulations involving the sale of alcohol. While laws vary depending on your location, the laws surrounding alcohol are generally complex, so make sure you understand them. You’ll want to make sure that your restaurant or coffee shop is in a convenient, easily accessible location. Often, nearby businesses will help generate foot traffic that can benefit your business too.  It is generally much cheaper to renovate an existing restaurant or coffee shop than it is to build one from scratch (or convert a non-eatery to an eatery).  You may want to lease rather than purchase, especially if you have never operated a small restaurant or coffee shop before. Make sure to consider things like parking facility, rent rates, and city/county ordinances when choosing your space. Check out the history of the site, too; if there have been eight failed restaurants in your space before yours, there could be something about the site that isn’t great for food service establishments. Restaurants and coffee shops have many areas that could open you up to liability, including worker safety, food safety, and liquor liability. Many areas require any restaurant or coffee shop that sells alcohol to carry liquor liability insurance, which will protect your business against lawsuits or liability from wrongdoing resultant from alcohol consumed at your business. In most areas, you’ll also need to carry workers compensation insurance. Even if not required, insurance is an excellent idea. Property insurance and general liability insurance will help protect you and your business.

What is a summary?
Consult with a professional. Research local zoning laws. Research your local food safety laws. Find a location. Purchase insurance.