Restaurant licenses
in Fort Worth, Texas
Start with the main licenses and permits below. For a checklist based on your own business, tell us what you’re opening and how it will operate.
Researched Sep 2026
About this example
The business is a restaurant located in Fort Worth, Texas, that serves food to customers both in-person and online, and employs W-2 staff. It is required to comply with federal, state, county, and city regulations, including health permits and business registrations. Legal structure is not specified in this example; entity formation applies only if that structure is chosen.
Requirement labels below refer to this setup. Conditional items depend on additional details.
Authorities researched
Details to confirm before you apply
- What is the exact fee for the Fort Worth food establishment permit?
- What is the processing time for the Fort Worth food establishment permit?
- Does the restaurant need to file an assumed name certificate with the county or state?
- What specific fire permits or inspections are required for the restaurant?
- What is the renewal cycle for the Tarrant County assumed name certificate?
- Are there any additional local requirements that may apply?
- Confirm the legal structure before using entity-formation instructions or including entity-specific fees in the startup budget.
- Confirm with the responsible agencies whether additional requirements apply in these areas: Workers' compensation coverage; New-hire reporting; City business license or tax registration; Construction permits for the commercial premises. These areas remain unresolved in this guide.
The main licenses and permits
6 of 13- 01Retail Food Establishment (Food Service) Permit — City of Fort WorthCity of Fort Worth Environmental Services Department, Consumer Health Division · Fort Worth
The restaurant prepares and serves food to the public at a physical location inside Fort Worth city limits.
RequiredAnnual - 02Certified Food Manager (Food Manager's Card)City of Fort Worth Consumer Health Division · Fort Worth
Fort Worth requires managers of food facilities to hold a valid Food Manager's Card.
RequiredCertification valid for 5 years - 03Food Handler Training CertificateTexas Department of State Health Services · Texas
Texas requires food service employees to complete an accredited food handler training course within 30 days of starting the job.
RequiredFort Worth food handler card valid for 2 years - 04Certificate of Occupancy (CO) / Occupancy permitCity of Fort Worth Development Services · Fort Worth
Any building used or occupied in Fort Worth must have a Certificate of Occupancy, and a restaurant occupying a commercial space needs a CO to legally operate.
RequiredOne-time per occupancy; a new CO is issued on change of owner/tenant or change of use - 05Texas Sales and Use Tax PermitTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
The restaurant sells tangible personal property (food and beverages) to customers at a physical location in Texas.
RequiredNot published (permit remains valid only while the business is actively selling; the permit cannot be transferred and a new permit is required on change of ownership) - 06Texas Franchise Tax registration and annual reportTexas Comptroller of Public Accounts · Texas
A restaurant formed as an LLC or corporation is a taxable entity organized in or doing business in Texas.
RequiredAnnual report due May 15
This example includes 7 other potential requirements. A report based on your business explains which apply, how to file, published fees and timing, and what to complete first.
Make the checklist yours
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Questions people ask
What city business licenses or registrations should a restaurant in Fort Worth check?
This guide does not establish whether Fort Worth requires a stand-alone general business license or registration. Confirm that question with the city, in addition to reviewing the industry permits and registrations below.
How much do licenses and permits cost for a restaurant in Fort Worth?
Most fees vary by item; see report. Several items have fees that depend on your entity type, square footage, or payroll, so the full report lists each fee as the agency publishes it.
What should I do first?
Review Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)), then Certificate of Formation (business entity registration) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State (SOS)), then Assumed Name Certificate (DBA) (if applicable) (Texas Secretary of State (for LLCs, corporations, and other filing entities); Tarrant County Clerk (for sole proprietorships and general partnerships that are not filing entities)). Confirm each item's applicability and prerequisites before applying; the report provides a suggested order for the full checklist.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is a research summary of public requirements published by government agencies, each linked to its official page. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.
Related guides
Researched from official government sources on September 2, 2026 for a typical restaurant. Requirements change and depend on your facts; this page is not legal advice. Confirm with the issuing agency before filing.