Opening a restaurant, bar, or food business in Chicago means navigating one of the most licensing-intensive regulatory environments in the country. You're not just dealing with one city department — you're dealing with three or four, all working on different timelines, each with their own requirements and inspection standards.
This guide covers everything you need to get legally licensed to serve food and alcohol in Chicago, broken down by license type, agency, and what specifically you need to submit or pass.
Food-only establishments: budget 6–10 weeks from application to license. Establishments with alcohol: add a mandatory 30-day public notice period and aldermanic approval on top of that — total 10–16 weeks minimum for a straightforward location.
The Retail Food Establishment License
Any business that prepares, serves, or sells food in Chicago must hold a Retail Food Establishment (RFE) license issued by the BACP. This is the primary food service license — it covers restaurants, cafes, food trucks, catering operations, bakeries, and more.
Retail Food Establishment License
BACP + CDPHIssuing agency: Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), with mandatory inspection by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Pre-inspection requirements: Kitchen and food prep areas must be fully constructed and equipped before CDPH will schedule an inspection. You cannot get an inspection on a space that isn't ready to operate.
Documents Required for the RFE Application
- Completed BACP application (filed through eLICENSE portal)
- Government-issued photo ID for all principals
- EIN or SSN (for sole proprietors)
- Illinois entity registration (for LLCs and corporations)
- Lease agreement or proof of property ownership
- Scaled floor plan showing kitchen layout, equipment placement, and square footage
- List of all food equipment (with manufacturer specs if required)
- Certificate of insurance (general liability minimum $1M per occurrence)
- Illinois Food Service Sanitation Manager Certificate (at least one manager must be certified)
- Chicago Department of Buildings permit for any construction or buildout work
- Chicago Fire Prevention Bureau clearance (no open violations)
The CDPH Inspection
Once your application is submitted and the facility is ready, the CDPH schedules a pre-license sanitation inspection. Inspectors evaluate food storage, equipment sanitation standards, handwashing facilities, pest control measures, and proper food temperatures. If violations are found, you receive a correction notice and must pass a re-inspection before the license is issued.
Requesting a CDPH inspection before your space is fully built out and equipped is one of the most common ways restaurant owners waste weeks. Inspectors will not pass a space that doesn't have all equipment installed and operational.
The Chicago Liquor License
If your establishment will sell alcohol in any form — on-premises consumption, retail sales, or both — you need a separate liquor license from the Chicago Liquor Control Commission (CLCC). This is entirely separate from your food service license and has its own application process, timeline, and requirements.
Chicago Liquor License Classes
- Class A (Tavern) — On-premises consumption, no food requirement
- Class B (Packaged Goods) — Off-premises retail alcohol sales
- Class C (Consumption on Premises) — On-premises with incidental food service
- Class D (Restaurant) — Full restaurant with alcohol service; requires food service as a primary component
- Class K (Late-Night) — On-premises sales past 2am (requires additional approval)
Liquor License Application Requirements
- Completed CLCC application with all principal disclosures
- Fingerprints and background checks for all principals (processed through the Chicago Police Department)
- Proof of Illinois Basset certification for all servers and managers who will handle alcohol
- Valid RFE license (or parallel application) if food will be served
- Site plan showing bar area, seating, and licensed premises boundaries
- Aldermanic approval letter (your local alderman must sign off — most require community notification)
- Certificate of insurance with liquor liability coverage
- Proof of compliance with distance restrictions from schools, churches, and other licensed establishments
- 30-day public notice posting at the premises (mandatory waiting period)
The 30-day public notice requirement alone adds a full month to your liquor license timeline. This is mandatory and cannot be waived or shortened. Factor it into your opening date planning from day one.
Additional Licenses & Requirements
Depending on your concept, you may need additional licenses beyond the RFE and liquor license:
- Public Place of Amusement (PPA) — required if you'll have live music, DJs, dancing, or entertainment. This is a separate BACP license with its own application and sound ordinance requirements.
- Late-Night License — required for operations past 2am (4am requires a separate late-night recreation license)
- Outdoor Dining / Sidewalk Café Permit — required for any seating in the public right-of-way; issued through the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)
- Tobacco Retail License — required if you'll sell tobacco or vaping products
- Class K Late Bar License — required for alcohol sales to 4am; separate from standard liquor license
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening a Restaurant in Chicago?
Food and liquor licensing is where most restaurant openings get delayed. AIM Productions LLC manages the entire process — BACP applications, CDPH coordination, CLCC filings, and aldermanic follow-up.
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