We successfully secured a Chicago Wholesale Food Establishment License for an international food and beverage company operating across various US states. The company produces, stores and distributes packaged food in the United States.
To store and distribute its packaged food in the city of Chicago, the company was required to obtain a Wholesale Food Establishment License from the City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, Small Business Center.
This license is a prerequisite for business storing, selling and distributing packaged food products at wholesale from a building or other fixed establishment within the city of Chicago.
Key takeaways from our Wholesale Food Establishment License Chicago approval:
Mandatory Public Health Inspection: Upon license approval, the Public Health – Food Protection Department conducts a mandatory on-site inspection before license issuance. Businesses are typically contacted within 10 business days to schedule the inspection, and the premises must be fully constructed and ready for inspection.
Requests for Additional Information & Ownership Verification. In this case, Chicago issued three requests for additional information. You should be prepared for extensive requests, particularly concerning ownership. Your ownership details must precisely match the Illinois State Registration from the Illinois Secretary of State. However, if your business has corporate owners, providing this information on a standard digital application can sometimes be challenging. If you encounter any difficulties or inconsistencies, you should work with the City of Chicago to resolve them.
Comprehensive Information Required: This includes, but is not limited to: contact information, detailed ownership data (including government-issued IDs for controlling persons), business description, Chicago address, Illinois Secretary of State registration, Illinois Department of Revenue Account ID (if planning to hire employees, buy or sell products, or manufacture goods), IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN), Corporate documents (Operating Agreement, Articles of Organization, Corporate Minutes, Stock Certificates, Articles of Incorporation, etc.) Business Organizational Chart, Current Lease / Proof of Property Ownership, and any additional license-specific documents that may be required by Chicago Department of Public Health, Food Protection Division.
Processing Time: The approval process typically takes approximately three months.
What is a Chicago Food Establishment License?
You need a Chicago Wholesale Food Establishment Licenseany time you prepare, store, sell, or distribute food at wholesale from a building or any fixed location (including warehouse) within the city. This includes but is not limited to:
Storage facilities
Confectionery manufacturers
Slaughtering and packing establishments
Milk plants
Frozen dessert plants
License Overview and Application Steps
Here’s a breakdown of the steps to get your license:
Initial Information: You must submit your basic business information either online or in person.
Zoning Approval: Get zoning approval from the City of Chicago.
Complete Application: Fill out and submit your full license application.
Payment: Make the required license payment. The cost for a Wholesale Food Establishment license is $1,320.
Debt Check: The City of Chicago will perform a debt check. Any outstanding City debt must be resolved or paid before your license can be issued.
License Issuance: Once all requirements are met, you’ll receive your license.
Malescu Law can assist
Our experienced business license lawyers can guide through the complexities of the Chicago Wholesale Food Establishment License and provide comprehensive assistance throughout the entire process.
We serve companies and individuals across all 50 states and the District of Columbia
Anda Malescu is a US immigration lawyer and Florida Bar Board Certified Expert in International Law. A member of the elite category of Florida Bar lawyers recognized for her exceptional knowledge, skill and professionalism, she advises US and international clients, including investors and entrepreneurs, on business immigration and corporate law matters. She holds a JD degree from University of Miami School of Law and a Master's degree in Economics and Business from Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. She is a member of the Florida Bar.
