Liquor License Applications in Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania

To sell alcohol at any venue in the United States, you need a liquor license. Each of the 50 states has a unique way of issuing these liquor licenses. The liquor license application process varies greatly from sea to shining sea.

In 17 states, liquor license quotas exist. Those states are:

• Alaska

• Arizona

• California

• Florida

• Idaho

• Kentucky

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• Minnesota

• Montana

• New Jersey

• New Mexico

• Ohio

• Pennsylvania

• South Dakota

• Utah

• Washington

To help you with the application process, here are the basics on how to get a liquor license in the states of Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, four states we commonly receive questions about.

Florida

In Florida, liquor licenses are handled by the statewide alcohol beverage control commission, the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Bureau of Licensing. Three of the most popular types of liquor licenses in Florida are the quota license, the SRX, and the beer and wine license.

Quota

Florida is one of 17 states with a quota on the number of liquor licenses issued each year. The quota license is only required for full-service alcohol establishments, such as package-liquor stores, bars, and dining facilities that do not qualify for a SRX license.

SRX

With a special restaurant alcoholic beverage license (SRX), you can sell beer, wine, and liquor for consumption on the premises of a restaurant. However, to qualify for this license, that restaurant must get at least 51% of its revenue from food and non-alcoholic beverages. There is no quota on the number of SRX licenses issued in Florida each year.

Beer and Wine

Beer and wine licenses are the easiest and most affordable option for many business owners in Florida and can be used in restaurants, conveniences stores, and bars. However, this type of license does not necessarily make business owners much money.

Applications for each of these licenses are available online and at any ABT license office in the state of Florida. For each of these liquor license applications, you will have to provide fingerprints, a requirement that many other states do not have.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts controls the issue of liquor licenses, of which there are approximately two-dozen types. The most commonly requested licenses fall into two categories: the alcohol beverages local retail license and the alcoholic beverages state license.

Local Retail License

The local retail liquor license application varies in each town and city in Massachusetts. Different types of local retail liquor licenses allow you to operate a package-liquor store, serve alcohol beverages at restaurants, or run a bar or nightclub. All liquor license applications and the associated fees must be submitted online. The ABCC recommends that you contact your Local Licensing Authority (LLA) before submitting your application, as they may have additional requirements for the liquor license application process in your area.

State License

State liquor licenses in Massachusetts are available under several broad categories, which include distribution licenses, direct-to-consumer licenses, broker or salesperson licenses, storage permits, transportation permits, manufacturer licenses, one-day special permits, and out-of-state licenses. Each of these liquor licenses has a separate application.

New Jersey

The Division of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) issues liquor licenses in New Jersey and the state has some of the toughest liquor license regulations in the country. Population and local ordinances limit the number of retail liquor licenses issued in a municipality, which makes it harder to obtain liquor licenses available for bars, restaurants, and package-liquor stores. For that reason, liquor licenses are often sold privately within a municipality and can be expensive.

There are 29 distinct types of liquor licenses issued in the state of New Jersey. One 12-page universal application form can be used for both local liquor licenses and state liquor licenses in New Jersey. However, only certain liquor license applications can be submitted online.

Three of the most common types of liquor licenses in New Jersey are the plenary retail consumption license, the restricted brewery license, and the bring-your-own-bottle license.

Plenary Retail Consumption License

The plenary retail consumption license allows alcohol beverages to be sold for consumption on the premises of a licensed venue as well as in packaged forms that can be removed from the licensed venue. This type of liquor license is best suited for restaurants and bars.

Restricted Brewery License

The restricted brewery license allows you to brew malt alcoholic beverages in restricted quantities each year. To acquire this liquor license, you will need a plenary retail consumption license. The restaurant or bar associated with your plenary retail consumption license must be associated and adjacent to your brewery.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, like New Jersey, has some of the strictest liquor laws in the country. In the state of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) issues and renews liquor licenses. If you would like to acquire a new liquor license in Pennsylvania, you must register an online account with PLCB+, which allows applicants and licensees to submit liquor license applications, conduct business with the board, and access education and certification resources.

The most commonly requested liquor licenses in Pennsylvania are categorized by the kind of venue in which the alcoholic beverages are to be sold, such as the restaurant liquor license, the club and catering club liquor license, the distributor liquor license, the eating place liquor license, and the hotel liquor license. The restaurant, club and catering, eating place, and hotel liquor licenses require that the sale of alcoholic beverages be the secondary reason for the venue’s establishment.

Pennsylvania’s Liquor code limits the number of retail liquor licenses that a county can issue each year based on that county’s population. The quota is updated every 10 years to reflect any changes in the federal census. Restaurant, distributor, and eating place liquor licenses are among those affected by this quota.

Since Pennsylvania established its quota 1939, some counties have more retail liquor licenses than the quota allows. These “extra” licenses are still eligible for renewal, but no new licenses can be issued in those counties.

Determining What Kind of Liquor License You Need

Depending on what kind of establishment or business you own and operate, you’ll need to apply for a specific class of liquor license. The fees that you pay will vary depending on what kind of liquor license you buy and the demand for that type of license in your state or city. The specifics of this information can be found at your state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Here are the different types of liquor licenses that exist:

• Arts licenses (e.g. theaters, galleries)

• Beer and wine licenses (e.g. for smaller businesses only planning to sell beer and wine)

• Brewpub licenses (e.g. for establishments that want to brew their own liquor)

• Club licenses (e.g. for private social clubs that wish to serve alcohol to members only)

• Delivery licenses (e.g. for business that plan to deliver alcohol to customers)

• Eating place licenses (e.g. establishments or businesses that primarily serve food but also wish to sell small amount of alcohol, or take-out beer)

• Hotel licenses (e.g. for hotels with bars and/or restaurants that wish to serve alcohol)

• Restaurant licenses or all-liquor licenses (e.g. for a restaurant that wishes to be able to sell all types of alcohol including beer, wine, and liquor)

• Retail licenses (e.g. for grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, and all retail establishments that wish to sell alcohol in closed containers)

• Tavern licenses (e.g. businesses primarily serving food but making 50% or more of their profits from selling alcohol)

Application Fees and Taxes that Come with Buying a Liquor License

In many cases in the United States, the cost of buying a liquor license will vary from state to state. The price can range from approximately $300 to nearly $20,000, and in some cases, the cost can top $1 million. Your fees will also be different depending on what kind of business you have. A restaurant in California that only serves beer and wine could have wildly different fees than a liquor store in Massachusetts.

You might also be required to pay local and state fees, which you can find by visiting the state government website. It’s also important to understand that you may not be able to buy a liquor license directly from your state or city, since there is a limited number of available licenses that can be legally issued based on what are called per capita quotas. Because of this, in many cases, you might have to obtain a license from an existing liquor license holder. This might make it more challenging to track down a current holder, and it’s why liquor license brokerages like ours are critical to ensuring you not only find the correct license, but also get the best deal.

Various Fees

In many cases, you won’t be paying all of your costs upfront, and you’ll be paying varying amounts of money to different people and places. Some fees may go towards private individuals or brokers that help you apply for or obtain a liquor license, while other fees may simply be application fees to the state agency where you’re applying. There may also be annual fees that you’re required to pay in order to maintain your liquor license.

Broker Fees that May Come with Buying a Liquor License

If you’re trying to buy a liquor license, especially if you’re in a state with liquor license quotes, it’s often wise to work with a liquor license broker. What is a liquor license broker, exactly? A broker is like a real estate agent, but for alcohol: they help you to buy or sell a license. At Liquor License Advisor, we assist people in finding current liquor licenses that are for sale, as well as helping establishments to buy and sell liquor licenses. Brokers are particularly helpful in tracking down license holders, making sure their licenses are legitimate (there are frauds out there, and you don’t want a phony liquor license), ensuring that all of the paperwork is in order, and providing invaluable feedback based on what kind of business you own and where you’re hoping to sell liquor. The amount of money you pay a broker will depend on services rendered, and specific circumstances, but can also save you money in the long-run by preventing you from making mistakes, misunderstandings, or oversights.

County Liquor License Fees

The amount that you’ll owe in liquor license fees will vary from county to county. Depending on the area that you live in, it’s possible that you might need to obtain a liquor license for multiple levels of government, or even all four, including federal, state, county, and local. The more levels of liquor licensing that you need to obtain, the more you’ll have to pay. This is on top of a $50-$100 non-refundable processing fee.

You’ll want to obtain a County Beer License if you own an establishment that is located in a county, excluding counties that are located inside a city or within five miles of a city.

State Liquor License Fees

Depending on the class of liquor license, the state and city your establishment is operated in, and what hours you want to sell alcohol during, amongst other factors, your state liquor license fees will vary. Check your ABC website for this information. If you’re looking to buy a liquor license in Boston, for example, and you wish to buy an all-alcohol license and sell until 2 a.m., you could end up shelling out more than $450,000.

Liquor License Attorney Fees

While you don’t necessarily need to hire a lawyer or attorney to help you obtain a liquor license, it can certainly be helpful. A liquor license attorney can help you prepare all of the relevant paperwork needed to apply for a liquor license, as well as make sure you’re in accordance with all regulations. Liquor license attorney fees may be steep, but they may save you money, time, and confusion in the long-run when applying for a liquor license.

Liquor license attorneys can also be hired if you’re facing a serious claim or have been given a summons for violating the liquor law. Hiring a liquor license attorney can cost you $5,000 or more, depending on the services you need. Although it might seem like a pretty penny, it’s best to pay more to do the whole process correctly, and make sure you’re in compliance with all liquor license regulations now than to risk not being able to obtain a liquor license, or even lose it for good later.

What Type of Liquor License Do I Need for My Business or Venue?

Every business, venue, or establishment that plans to sell alcoholic beverages must have a liquor license to operate legally. Fortunately, there is a liquor license suited to every operation imaginable, from a large restaurant to a small café to a nightclub. The specifics of each liquor license will vary by state, county, and municipality, and for that reason, you should check with your local Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) about the ins and outs of liquor licenses in your area. In some states, the different licenses are classified by numbers, not just names, so make sure to do your research. For example, in California, a Restaurant/All Liquor/Full Liquor License is a Type 47, but in Massachusetts, it is referred to as a Section 12 On-Premise License.

That being said, here is some general information about some of the most commonly requested liquor licenses around the country.

Liquor licenses are usually classified by three factors:

• The type of alcoholic beverage sold (beer, wine, spirits, liquor)

• The venue where the alcoholic beverage is sold (restaurant, nightclub, hotel, grocery store, etc.)

• The way that the alcoholic beverage is sold (packaged, poured)

Restaurant/All Liquor/Full Liquor License

The restaurant liquor license, sometimes known as the all-liquor license or the full-liquor license, is for restaurants that want to sell all types of alcoholic beverages, including beer, spirits, wine, and liquor. Restaurant liquor licenses come in on-premise and off-premise varieties. On-premise liquor licenses allow you to sell poured alcohol on the premises of your restaurant. With an off-premise liquor license, you can sell alcoholic beverages that can be removed from the premises of your restaurant in a travel container or in packaged forms for sale.

To get this license, you have to prove that at least 50% of your restaurant’s total sales are from food and non-alcoholic beverages. Restaurant liquor licenses can be difficult to obtain and expensive, but they are often extremely lucrative to business owners.

Beer and Wine Liquor License

The beer and wine liquor permits the sale of those two types of alcohol beverages but does not permit the sale of spirits or hard liquor. The beer and wine liquor license allows restaurants to sell some alcoholic beverages on their premises without going through the hassle or expense of getting an all-liquor license.

This license may require you to prove that at least 50% of your restaurant’s total sales are from food and non-alcoholic beverages. If you’re looking for an option that’s cheaper and easier than the all-liquor license, the beer and wine license may be a good option for your restaurant.

Liquor Store License/Retail License

With a liquor store license, sometimes known as a retail license, you can sell packaged alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises of your business. Liquor store licenses come in different varieties that allow you to sell different kinds of alcoholic beverages. Some liquor store licenses only allow the sale of liquor and wine, while others allow the sale of beers and spirits as well.

Your local ABC will have the specifics of the liquor store license options available in your area. This off-premise license allows grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, and other establishments to sell packaged liquor.

Brewery License

A brewery license allows businesses to brew their own alcoholic beverages and offer them for sale. Variations of this license place restrictions on the quantity of liquor that the business can brew and sell each year as well as the size of the containers it uses to sell the liquor. Often, the licensed brewery is associated and adjacent to a restaurant, hotel, or other venue. The brewery license can allow for consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises of the venue and off the premises of the venue.

Tavern License

A tavern license allows establishments like nightclubs, lounges, pubs, and of course, taverns, to sell alcoholic beverages as their primary source of business. This license may only permit the sale of beer and wine, or it may also permit the sale of liquor and spirits. To get a tavern license, your establishment must have suitable kitchen facilities and sell substantial food that can serve as a meal.

The tavern license is an on-premise license, which means it only permits alcoholic beverage consumption on the premises of your venue. The tavern license is often accompanied by licenses that permit dancing, entertainment, extended hours, and outdoor service, which allows alcoholic beverages to be consumed in an outdoor space associated with the establishment that has a tavern permit. A venue with a tavern license may not allow patrons under the age of 21 without the presence of a legal guardian.

Hotel License

A hotel license is an on-premise license that allows the sale of alcoholic beverages at a hotel, motel, or similar lodging. With this license, guests of the hotel or motel can consume alcoholic beverages throughout the premises, in restaurants, bars, common areas, and private rooms. This license may only permit the sale of beer and wine, but in some cases, it also permits the sale of liquor and spirits. Much like the tavern license, the hotel license requires suitable kitchen facilities on the premises that can prepare substantial food for guests.

Club License

Not to be confused with a license for a nightclub, the club license allows country clubs, veterans clubs, service clubs, fraternal clubs, and other not-for-profit clubs to sell alcoholic beverages, which may include beer, wine, liquor, and spirits. Like the tavern license and the hotel license, the establishment for which the club has a license must have suitable kitchen facilities to feed substantial food to its patrons.

Eating Place License

The eating place license is suited for smaller dining establishments that wish to sell beer alongside the food items on their menu. These smaller dining establishments may also sell small quantities of other alcoholic beverages. The eating place license is a good option for a dining establishment that does not have a large budget.

What is a Liquor License and What Does It Do?

So, you think you might need a liquor license. Lucky for you, that’s our speciality. We can break down everything you need to know about liquor licenses, who needs one, and the application and licensing processes.

Let’s start with the basics: A liquor license is a permit to sell alcohol and alcoholic beverages. If your business has a hand in the distribution, manufacturing, or sale of alcohol, you need a liquor license. That includes businesses from restaurants and bars to hotels, private clubs, or other establishments. And that’s good news: According to data by BevSpot, liquor sales can be responsible for some of the largest profit margins on a menu, depending on the type of liquor—between 76% and 82%!

What does a liquor license do? Liquor licenses regulate:

• Which businesses are allowed to sell alcohol

• When and where they can sell alcohol

• How much can be sold at one time

• How much businesses can charge for alcohol

• The type of alcoholic beverages that can be sold

• To whom alcohol can be sold

• Which businesses are permitted to manufacture and distribute alcohol

Liquor licensing laws also specify that wholesale vendors of wine, liquor, and beer can’t sell to establishments without a liquor license.

What Kind of License Do You Need?

An important thing to keep in mind is that every state has its own rules about the sale, distribution, and consumption of alcohol and different requirements about liquor license applications and the licensing process. These rules are regulated by each state’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) or a division by a similar name. Individual counties and cities may also have their own related departments.

Futhermore, there are different types of liquor licenses and they vary by state. The ABC in your state will be able to give you the lowdown on what is required for businesses to file a liquor license application and the application process.

Need to know which liquor license is right for you? Your type of license will depend on a couple things:

• What kind of establishment you have

• The kind of alcohol you sell and what time of day you sell it

• Whether you’re planning to let customers roll BYOB-style or serving and selling alcohol

• Where drinking occurs

The two major types of licenses are an on-premise, where the liquor or alcoholic beverages you sell will be consumed on the premises, like a bar or restaurant. The other is an off-premise, which you need if you’re planning to have the liquor you sell be consumed off the premises, like a grocery store or drug store, or even a liquor store. There might be different qualifications for a catering company or special events.

In some states, you’ll be applying for a specific class of license. The most common classes of liquor licenses include a tavern license, which is for restaurants that serve both alcohol and food, but liquor only makes up about 50% of their sales; a beer and wine license, where you can only sell “soft” liquors but not hard liquor, like spirits; or a restaurant license, where the license could specify that only a certain percentage of earnings can come from the alcohol sales.

What Does a Liquor License Application Require?

Some states have a limited number of liquor licenses, so you should check availability for your state, county, or city level depending on where you’re located. But no worries—even if your county technically has no new liquor licenses available, businesses in your area could be interested in selling their licenses. Your state’s ABC might track that information, too.

For a liquor license application, you’ll need business documents in place before you enter the application process, like employer identification numbers, zoning permits, building permits, health permits, signage permits, or leases. You’ll file your application with your state’s ABC, so in addition to the forms your local authority or state government requires, you might be required to pay a processing fee, complete a background check, and submit a financial verification sheet, a copy of a food handler’s permit or license, a lease, or a certificate of good standing from the Secretary of State.

Because states only want to provide responsible business owners with liquor licenses, offering up detailed information on your ownership and business finances is part of the deal—in some states, that even includes undergoing and passing different inspections from city departments. Since we know getting a liquor license is a lengthy process, we suggest getting as much together as you can ahead of time!

How Long Does a Liquor License Application Take?

Liquor license application processing can take a while—it varies based on state and license type, but typically it takes 90 days to five or six months. Starting the process with plenty of buffer time between applying for a liquor license and your opening is crucial. The costs of a liquor license—once all aspects of the application process are added up—can range from several hundred dollars to millions of dollars depending on your state liquor laws, type of liquor, and type of license.

You’re also required to renew your liquor license annually, which might involve paying a renewal fee. What is important is knowing the cost and timeline upfront so you can feel confident and informed as you take this next step with your business. Research for the win!

Why You Should Hire a Liquor License Broker to Obtain a License

Are you opening a business and looking to obtain a liquor license, or closing a business and looking to sell a liquor license? The process of buying, obtaining, and selling a liquor license can be frustrating. We know that there’s lots of red tape involved, and it’s common than you’d think to make mistakes early on in the process that can cost you later. Not only does a liquor license cost thousands of dollars, and sometimes even up to $1 million, there are quite a few sneaky fees and time-eating tasks involved. You might be wondering exactly what the application process entails, how to find what liquor licenses are available, and how exactly you obtain one. Or maybe you’re looking to lease or sell a liquor license, but the process is too confusing to parse out all the details. And that’s where Liquor License Advisor comes in.

Hiring a liquor license broker can help you avoid mistakes by taking some of the work off of your plate and guiding you through the application process, or the process of selling your liquor license. Think of us as a handy middleman. The liquor license application process is no joke, and we take it more seriously than anyone. We pride ourselves on educating you about all things relating to beer, wine, and liquor. We’ll map out fees, best business moves, and advise you throughout the journey. We know the liquor control laws in numerous states backwards and forwards, including all of the local rules and regulations. Ultimately, hiring a liquor license broker will ensure a smoother application process by arming you with knowledge and understanding.

At Liquor License Advisor, we can help you figure out exactly what type of liquor license you need to buy. We also help you deal with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) in your state so that there’s less confusion for you. And even though the process of buying a liquor license can take up to a year, when you hire a liquor license broker, you save time and money in the long run. We’ll make sure that your application is as accurate as possible, down to the very last detail. Not only that, but we’ll ensure that you’re getting the best deal possible.

We won’t simply jump on the first liquor license that’s available in the area where you want to open your business. We’ll do our due diligence, and assess the best options out there. Then, we’ll monitor the market and let you know when a liquor license that’s perfect for your needs is available. Doesn’t that sound better than waiting around and struggling through the process alone?

When you hire a liquor license broker, this is what we can guarantee:

We Save You Time

Hiring a liquor license broker can also be the push you need to complete the process efficiently. The people who work at the ABC are busy, and it’s not uncommon for things to get delayed. We’ll remind you to check in, follow up, and advocate for yourself so that the process gets done as quickly as possible. We can guide you through the whole ABC process, and lead you in the right direction. And hey, that might even shave off a few months for you! Sometimes happy hour comes early, right?

In addition to preparing you for the application process and answering any questions that you have, we’ll also make sure that you have all the materials you need including:

• Business License

• Sales Tax Permit

• Zoning Permit

• Alcohol Tax Permit

• Health Permit

• Building Permit

• Signage Permit

• Employer Identification Number (check with the IRS)

We’ll help you supply and file:

• Background check forms (some states might require fingerprints)

• A Certificate of Good Standing from the Secretary of State

• A Signed Lease Agreement to confirm the location of your business

• Financial verification sheets to prove that you’re in good tax standing

• Any potential processing fees required by your state

You might be wondering exactly how much time you’re saving by hiring a liquor license broker if you would have to go through the above process anyway. Simply put, we know the process like we know the back of our hands, and we’ll save you from all the worries and tiny mistakes that can easily befall anyone when thrust into a long, complicated application process.

We Provide You With Certainty

We have a whole team of professionals who are dedicated to perfecting each file, comma, and piece of your liquor license application. We want to save you countless hours of worrying about if you did something correctly or filed for the right type of liquor license.

By answering your questions and guiding you through the process, we provide certainty and piece of mind that you’re doing everything right. We’ll walk you through the risks associated with buying a liquor license, the whole liquor license real estate landscape, and make you feel confident about your knowledge in all things beer, wine, and liquor. At the end of the day, having license experts on board is a foolproof way to make sure you have all of your bases covered, and maybe sleep just a little easier at night.

We Provide Efficiency and Clarity

Simply put, at Liquor License Advisor, we know the liquor license market incredibly well. We’ll make you aware of any special conditions attached to the type of liquor license you need to buy, any restrictions, and ultimately set you up for success.

We will be by your side every single step of the way. We’ll make sure everything is taken care of down to the need to post a public notice of a pending liquor license, and wrapping the legal process up before making any business moves.

Most People Don’t Know That Liquor License Brokers Can Help With These 3 Services

Liquor license brokers are experts for a reason. We know the ins and outs of liquor licensing and can save you time, money, and headaches. The process of buying, selling, and acquiring a liquor license can be a lengthy one, especially depending on your state and the kind of license you want.

But on top of our work directly with licenses, there are also a number of other helpful services we provide that many professionals don’t know that we offer—and they could make your next licensing deal even better.

1. We keep track of industry-wide trends and legislative updates.

Understandably, most attorneys and food and beverage professionals aren’t standing by their computers waiting for the next industry shift or change in liquor licensing law.

That’s where we come in. We spend time understanding pivots in municipal and/or state licensing policies so that when our clients need help, we’ve already got the inside scoop on what they need to do to stay compliant. We consult others on the latest legislative changes and industry trends, too.

2. We provide market research and data.

For franchise owners, lenders, license coordinators, establishment owners, and others in the food and beverage industry, one of the most time-consuming activities is diving into market research and finding reliable data.

Lucky for you, our team is always up-to-date on valuations and performs regular surveying for a number of clients. So instead of trying to decipher this data on your own, come to us—we can do the heavy lifting for you.

3. We keep track of critical timelines & provide resources.

Anyone who’s buying or selling a license probably has other irons in the fire—opening or closing a restaurant, buying or selling a piece of real estate, leasing a property, the works.

We don’t just locate a license; we also make sure to communicate deadlines, highlight the materials needed for transactions, spot potential red flags, and take care of other logistics so that clients never feel like they’re fending for themselves on top of their plethora of other responsibilities. Who has time for all of that?

If you’re trying to buy a liquor license and you have all the pieces, bring us on board to put them together. You have the lemons, and we’ll turn them into limoncello.

3 Ways a Liquor License Broker Makes an Attorney’s Job Easier

Over our many years of business, we’ve worked with numerous attorneys to make their journey through the liquor licensing process easier.

Attorneys who are new to what we do often ask why it’s necessary to have a liquor license broker; what they often find, however, is that our services go far beyond just finding a buyer or seller. How do we make the process smoother for all of the lawyers we work with? Here are the three main ways.

1. We troubleshoot for you.

We see possibilities in licensing that other people frequently miss. We solve the problems attorneys don’t always have the time or expertise to resolve, acting as partners to step in and lead extra support to deliver a winning result for all parties involved.

For example, if we had a business trying to buy a license from one of its other franchisees and that franchisee is avoiding the sale, we have the bandwidth to speak with that franchisee and work through any questions or problems. Sometimes, that includes venturing out to evaluate what the cost would be for a business to buy a license over the next six months in a certain community and getting into the nitty-gritty details of how to make that transaction.

For an attorney, having a team with the expertise who has dealt with these problems is a huge asset, and it saves quite a few headaches for those who aren’t as well-acquainted with this business as we are.

2. We offer our knowledge base.

Attorneys are the legal experts. But who wants to spend two weeks poring over books of licensing case law to figure out what’s going on? Given that a lot of lawyers who contact us aren’t licensing-specific attorneys, we step up to act as a resource for them to make decisions and give their clients firm answers.

About 90% of the work we do involves working alongside attorneys to solve their clients’ problems and fulfill their needs. The services we provide most often include looking to buy a license, needing to sell a license, requesting an evaluation done for lending, and uncovering a license for scratch.

At the end of the day, we’re going to be as creative as possible in our deal-making to ensure that clients—and by extension, their attorneys—walk away with a deal they’re happy with.

3. We’re reliable no matter what the process throws your way.

There’s enough unpredictability with the transaction of trying to buy, sell, or secure a liquor license. Why go it alone?

Our mission is to make that process much easier and more streamlined. When we do business with attorneys, we help manage the transaction from start to finish and point out any potential red flags or legal complications that lawyers should be aware of. If there’s a snag in a deal, we’re the ones who will step in to work it out in order to make sure attorneys aren’t adding something to their licenses.

When it comes down to it, we have one specialty: Liquor licenses. We learn every day, which means we’re constantly developing better systems and processes for our clients, as well as their attorneys.

How Can I Tell If a Liquor License Is Fake?

Whether you’re looking into buying or selling a liquor license for the first time or dealing with your millionth sale, there’s always one question in the back of your mind: How can you know if a liquor license is real or fake?

We get it: Buying and selling a liquor license can be tough—and often there’s a lot of money on the table, particularly if you’re in a state with a quota.

For individuals and businesses looking to buy a liquor license, whether new or from an existing business, one of the most important skills you can learn is how to tell if you’re being sold a fake liquor license. Accidentally or intentionally buying a fake liquor license and operating without a bonafide license can get you into a world of trouble with the Division of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC), so consider us your saving grace.

Let’s start with a refresher of what a liquor license is and what it does: It’s a permit to sell alcohol and alcoholic beverages. If your business has a hand in the distribution, manufacturing, or sale of alcohol, you’re going to need a liquor license. That includes businesses from restaurants and bars to hotels, private clubs, or other establishments. And that’s good news: Liquor sales can be responsible for some of the largest profit margins on a menu, depending on the type of liquor—between 76% and 82%. However, that’s all the more reason to make sure that you’re purchasing a legitimate liquor license and not a fake one.

What are the red flags that you might be buying a fake license? Here are the most common issues we see.

You’re in a state with tough liquor license regulations.

In New Jersey for example, the Division of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) that issues liquor licenses has some of the toughest liquor license regulations in the country. Because of large populations of people and local ordinances limiting the number of retail liquor licenses that are allowed to be issued, it’s harder to obtain a liquor license.

In states where there are more strict regulations, it’s more likely to find businesses that are operating with fake liquor licenses or without liquor licenses at all.

You’re buying a liquor license from a business that’s previously had its license revoked.

When restaurants, bars, and other facilities that handle and sell alcohol don’t comply with alcohol regulations law, they can lose their liquor licenses, posing issues for their revenue streams. While some places work honestly and diligently to get their licenses back, that’s not always the case, and people get caught with fake liquor licenses. Although buying a liquor license from a business that’s previously had its license revoked doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have issues with being sold a fake liquor license, it’s always better to do your research and due diligence to make sure. (As a reminder, this is where a liquor license broker or consultant like Liquor License Advisor comes in handy—we do that work for you.)

A business’ liquor license isn’t registered with the area’s Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC).

Of course, the biggest red flag of all is if you check with the local ABC and no one at the agency can confirm that the business you’re buying the liquor license from has a legitimate license. When you purchase a liquor license from a business that is closing or going out of business, you apply with your state’s ABC agency as if you were applying for a new license. However, you may have already been in talks with a business claiming to have a liquor license to sell you. If you can’t confirm that the license is official with the ABC, it’s likely that it’s a fake liquor license.

No matter what state you’re in, you should be able to work with the state to find out if a business is licensed to sell alcohol, and specifically check if a business has a liquor license with its name in its exact location.

This is also where hiring a liquor license broker is helpful so that you can make sure that you’re not getting duped by a fake liquor license. Teams like ours at Liquor License Advisor can make sure you’re in accordance with all regulations; we do the vetting of licenses for you.

Have any questions about the process of buying and obtaining a liquor license? We can help. We know the liquor control laws in numerous states backwards and forwards, including all of the local rules and regulations. We want to ensure a smoother application process by arming you with knowledge and a team who can properly vet everything during the process.

Why You Should Hire a Liquor License Broker to Obtain a License