Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License in Memphis, Tennessee (2026)
You cannot open or legally operate a restaurant, food truck, or any facility that prepares or sells food to the public in Memphis without a Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License, issued by the Memphis & Shelby County Health Department (also called a food service permit). This license is the legal proof that your operation meets Tennessee's food safety rules and is required for you to pass final inspections and receive a Certificate of Occupancy. Without it, your opening is on hold.
- 19 total fields on the application — ApronPrep auto-fills 16
- $0–$0 government filing fee (Note: fees are specific to the type of food service and are assessed later, per the state schedule)
- Timeline varies and is determined by the time required to schedule and pass the mandatory pre-operational inspection
Most applicants complete this form in under 15 minutes with ApronPrep, which auto-fills 16 of 19 fields.
Analyzed from Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License
84% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License
Operating a restaurant, food truck, or any public food service in Memphis requires a Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License issued by the Shelby County Health Department's Food Protection Program. This is not a local choice but a state mandate, primarily governed by Tennessee’s food safety regulations, which are based on the FDA Model Food Code (adopted under Tennessee Department of Health rules). Specific Memphis requirements, such as food manager certification and allergen awareness training, are enforced per local ordinance and state statutes like Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-14-301 et seq. Without this license, your business is operating illegally from day one, putting public health at risk and violating the fundamental terms of your occupancy.
The practical consequences of not having or maintaining this license are severe and immediate. The Shelby County Health Department has broad enforcement powers, which can include:
- Immediate cease-and-desist orders and facility closure until violations are corrected, halting all revenue.
- Permit suspension or revocation, requiring a costly and lengthy reapplication process.
- Fines per violation for each code infraction found during an inspection, which can multiply daily for uncorrected issues.
- Mandatory re-inspection fees that you must pay for each follow-up visit by the health inspector.
- Lease and insurance complications, as most commercial leases require you to maintain all necessary licenses, and liability insurance may be voided if you operate without proper permits.
Legal code: State food code (based on FDA Model Food Code), food manager certification requirements, allergen awareness statutes
Recent update: As of 2026, the Shelby County Health Department has fully transitioned to its integrated online permitting and inspection system, requiring all new license applications and renewals to be submitted electronically.
Who Needs a Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | Required per Tennessee Code § 53-8-204, which mandates that any facility preparing, handling, or serving food to the public must obtain a retail food license from the Tennessee Department of Health. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Required if the establishment prepares, serves, or offers unpackaged food, as per Tennessee Code § 53-8-204; this includes snacks like nachos, peanuts, or prepped garnishes. |
| Food Truck | Required | Required as it operates as a retail food establishment under Tennessee Code § 53-8-204 and must be licensed by the Tennessee Department of Health for food service operations. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | Required because it prepares and serves food items (pastries, sandwiches, etc.) to consumers on the premises, as defined by Tennessee Code § 53-8-204. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (19 Fields)
16 of 19 auto-filledLegal Business Name
textEnter the exact name of your business entity as registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State or IRS—this must match your Articles of Incorporation, LLC filing, or other official registration document.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a nickname, DBA (doing business as) name, or a variation that differs from the official state record, which causes a mismatch with supporting documents and leads to rejection.
Business Owner Name(s)
textList the full legal names of all owners, partners, or corporate officers with a controlling interest in the business; for corporations, list the President or CEO.
COMMON MISTAKE: Omitting a minority owner or listing only a managing partner when the legal structure requires all owners, which violates Tennessee Department of Health disclosure requirements.
Ownership Structure
textSpecify the legal entity type, such as 'Corporation', 'LLC', 'Sole Proprietorship', or 'Partnership'; this determines liability and tax documentation requirements.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'Sole Proprietorship' when the business is legally an LLC or Corporation, creating a conflict with your EIN filing and triggering a review delay.
Federal EIN or SSN
textProvide your 9-digit Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for corporations/LLCs, or your Social Security Number (SSN) if you are a sole proprietor.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering a Tennessee state tax ID instead of the federal EIN, or misformatting the number (e.g., including dashes or spaces), which fails the Tennessee Department of Health's verification check.
Physical Location Address
textEnter the complete street address where the food establishment is physically located, including suite or unit number; this is where inspections will occur.
COMMON MISTAKE: Providing a P.O. Box, a mailing address, or an incorrect zip code for Memphis, which prevents the local health department from scheduling the mandatory pre-opening inspection.
Mailing Address
textProvide the address where you receive official correspondence and license renewals; this can be different from the physical location.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this field blank or repeating the physical address when mail cannot be delivered there, causing license renewals and notices to be misdirected.
Description of Premises and Layout
textDescribe the kitchen layout, dining area, storage areas, and major equipment locations; this information is used by inspectors to plan their evaluation.
COMMON MISTAKE: Writing a generic description like 'restaurant' instead of detailing specific zones (e.g., 'cold storage, 3-compartment sink, cook line'), which flags the application for additional clarification and delays processing.
Type of Establishment
textState the specific category of your food service operation, such as 'Full-Service Restaurant', 'Fast Food', 'Catering', 'Food Truck', or 'Grocery with Prepared Foods'.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting a category that doesn't align with your menu or service model (e.g., calling a bar 'Fast Food'), which assigns incorrect inspection criteria and can lead to compliance violations.
Number of Seats
textEnter the total number of permanent customer seats in the dining area; this affects fee calculations and occupancy requirements.
COMMON MISTAKE: Overestimating or underestimating seat count by including temporary or bar seating incorrectly, which results in an inaccurate license fee and requires a correction before issuance.
Types of Items Sold
textList the primary categories of food you will sell, such as 'prepared hot foods', 'pre-packaged snacks', 'beverages', or 'raw meat for consumption'; this determines specific health code modules.
COMMON MISTAKE: Failing to mention a high-risk item like 'raw oysters' or 'sushi', which requires additional permits and training certifications, leading to an incomplete application and rejection.
ApronPrep auto-fills 16 of 19 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License Mistakes
1. Selecting the Wrong License Class
Incorrectly categorizing your business (e.g., 'Food Service Establishment' vs. 'Retail Food Market') on the application. This mistake triggers a review denial, forcing a complete resubmission under the correct class. To avoid it, consult the Tennessee Department of Agriculture's (TDA) definitions for food establishments (found on the TDA website) and match your primary activity (like reheating vs. selling packaged goods). This error typically adds 2–3 weeks to your approval timeline.
2. Listing an Unqualified Person-in-Charge
Naming a manager who lacks the state-required Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate or whose certification is expired. This results in an immediate application rejection or inspection failure. Ensure the Person-in-Charge listed holds a current CFPM credential from an ANSI-accredited program (like ServSafe) and that the certificate number and expiration date are entered exactly as shown. This mistake can halt your opening for weeks while a new manager is certified.
3. Submitting an Incomplete or Non-Compliant Floor Plan
Providing a hand-drawn sketch instead of a scaled, professional diagram or omitting critical fixtures like the 3-compartment sink, handwashing sink locations, or restroom facilities. The TDA requires specific symbols and labels, and missing details lead to a 'plans review deficiency' notice, requiring correction and resubmission. Use the TDA's sample floor plan as a guide and clearly mark all equipment, sinks, and workflow paths. This is the most common cause of a 2-4 week delay in the review phase.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License
ApronPrep auto-fills 16 of 19 fields from one compliance interview.
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Tennessee Retail Food Establishment License by City in Tennessee
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | ||
| Memphis | ||
| Nashville | Base annual permit fee: $50.00. Additional fees based on establishment type: (1) Food service with potentially hazardous food: $210.00 (0-50 seats) or $360.00 (51+ seats); (2) Self-service foods without potentially hazardous food preparation: $35.00. Penalty fee of 50% of permit fee if payment is delinquent over 30 days or check is returned. Prorated fee (50% of annual rate) if application submitted after January 1, unless establishment was previously permitted. | Determined by inspector availability for initial inspection; permit valid for one year from issuance through June 30 |
Timeline: 6-8 Weeks
Gather Required Documentation & Certifications
Collect all prerequisite documents: a detailed floor plan showing equipment placement and handwashing sinks, a proposed menu, proof of ownership or lease for the location, and your food manager certification from the ANSI-accredited exam (e.g., ServSafe). For Memphis, you must also obtain a City of Memphis <strong>Zoning Permit</strong> and a <strong>Building Permit</strong> if you're remodeling. Missing the floor plan is the top reason for application rejection.
Complete & Submit the TN Food Establishment License Application
Fill out the <strong>Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Application for Retail Food Establishment License</strong>. Submit it along with your document packet to the Memphis Regional Office of Environmental Health (5100 Poplar Ave, Suite 3200). You can file online through the TDH's Electronic Food Establishment (EFE) portal, which is the fastest method. Ensure the 'Owner/Operator' information matches your business registration exactly.
Pay Fees & Schedule Pre-Opening Inspection
Pay the <strong>$300-$500</strong> government filing fee (based on establishment type and risk category) to the Tennessee Department of Health. Upon payment confirmation, the Memphis Environmental Health office will contact you to schedule a mandatory <strong>Pre-Opening Inspection</strong>. Have all equipment installed and operational, with your certified food manager present.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the Tennessee department of public health. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Tennessee.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Alcohol Server Training Certification
state
Annual Report Filing
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsThe processing timeline varies significantly. According to the Tennessee Department of Health, approval can take several weeks to several months after you submit a complete application and pass all required inspections. Your timeline is largely dependent on the inspection schedule and any corrections needed. Plan for a lead time of 6-12 weeks from application to license issuance to be safe.
The state government filing fee for this license is $0–$0. However, there are typically other mandatory costs before you can receive the license. These can include fees for a Certificate of Occupancy, plan review fees, and potential reinspection fees if corrections are needed. Not legal advice — verify final costs with the Tennessee Department of Health and the City of Memphis.
No, this license is specific to a single approved location. If you move, you must apply for a new license for the new address. This involves submitting a new application, new plan reviews, and a new series of pre-opening inspections by the health department. The process is similar to an initial application, including needing a new Building Permit for any renovations at the new site.
You must renew your Retail Food Establishment License annually. Renewal notices are typically sent by the Tennessee Department of Health, but it is your responsibility to renew on time even if you do not receive a notice. Failure to renew can result in late penalties and operating without a valid license, which carries daily fines and possible closure.
A public health sanitarian will conduct a detailed, unannounced inspection of your facility. They will check for compliance with the Tennessee Food Safety Rules, focusing on critical areas like food temperature control, prevention of cross-contamination, employee hygiene, and equipment sanitation. A follow-up inspection is required if significant violations are found, which delays your license issuance.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Tennessee specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 19 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State food code (based on FDA Model Food Code), food manager certification requirements, allergen awareness statutes
- Nashville — Department of Public Health
This Form Is One of 60+ Requirements.
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