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Florida’s Quota Liquor License: the Complete Guide
Suppose you’re looking into acquiring a Florida quota liquor license. In that case, you’re most likely either interested in getting into the hospitality industry or are currently in the industry and looking to expand your venue to offer alcoholic beverages at your establishment. We will go over a quota liquor license and what it takes to get an alcoholic beverage license for a restaurant in Florida. For starters, you’ll need to accept the fact that getting a quota license in Florida can be a very daunting and complicated process, however we’ll do our best in this article to break it down for you. If you would like to enlist our help in securing your quota license, simply get in touch with the Beverage License Specialists team today!
What is a Quota Liquor License?
A quota license is one in a variety of liquor licenses that allow an establishment to serve beer, wine, and all types of liquor on-premises or through packaged sales. A quota license is the most inclusive kind of liquor license available. As mandated by state law, there are only a finite number of licenses available in any given county, hence why it’s called a quota license. The particular quota that the state can issue for any given county is calculated by a variety of factors, most notably the size and population of the respective county where your establishment resides.
How Can I Get a Quota License?
So, how does the State determine license distribution for these valuable quota licenses? There are only two options available to business owners who are looking to acquire a quota license in the State of Florida. They are the option to purchase a quota license from another quota license holder and enter the quota license lottery.
Purchase a Quota License from Someone Seeking to Sell
Given that there is a finite amount of quota liquor licenses available in any given county, the owner of an establishment cannot simply apply for one through the state and pay the associated fees. Instead, you’ll need to purchase one that already exists from another quota license holder. These types of transactions are typically handled through experienced brokers who’ve worked in the industry and know the ins and outs and all the rules and regulations in Florida. An alcoholic beverage license will often become available from quota license holders who no longer require their license because they’re making a business change, retiring, or shutting down their business. The cost to purchase a quota license depends entirely on the supply and demand and is not dictated by the state of Florida or its subsequent counties. This is where we at Beverage License Specialists come in.
How to Approach Buying a Quota License
Not only can we help anyone trying to sell their license, but we can also facilitate the purchasing process of these licenses. For over 33 years, Beverage License Specialists has developed a reputation for being the go-to brokerage firm for assisting clients with purchasing, selling, processing, and financing Florida Alcoholic Beverage Licenses. We recognize that in addition to the financial aspects of alcoholic beverage licensing, Personalized Service, Experience and Communication are the key ingredients to our mutual success. The procedure for purchasing a license in this manner can get complicated, and a lot of work will need to be done during the transfer process, but we’re here to walk you through the process every step of the way.
Benefits of Working With a Liquor Licensing Agent
Our team at Beverage License Specialists are experts in the field and will work seamlessly with you or your staff to reduce administrative costs and to save valuable time. We can assist you with all of the complicated parts of the transfer process and are here to be the support you need in the sale or purchasing process. We provide expert support in both cases and are very experienced at helping these deals go through smoothly without delays. We’ll be working closely with you to ensure you get the best deal possible and that all the facets of the sale or purchase are properly handled.
Enter a Quota License Lottery Drawing
If you fancy yourself a gambler and want to try your hand at earning a quota license, new licenses become available annually through a quota license lottery drawing. The drawing for new quota licenses is held annually and licenses are made available for use in counties showing growth in population. In this drawing, hopeful business owners like yourself can enter for a chance to win the right to apply for a license. Of course, entering this lottery does not guarantee a license, and you’re relying on a chance to be selected to apply for a quota license in one of the counties that have shown growth.
Requirements for the Quota Lottery
With this lottery drawing comes several stipulations that an individual or business owner needs to be aware of when filing an application:
- Entry form filing fee is $100.00
- Activation fees are $10,750.00 plus renewal fees.
- An entrant can be either an individual or a business but not both
- An entrant can only apply once within a given county
- Entry must be submitted online, by mail, or in-person to the Tallahassee office of the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco before the deadline
The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco accepts entry forms each year on the third Monday of August. From this date, forms can be submitted for up to a maximum of 45 days. Our team at Beverage License Specialists will help you prepare your application and ensure that all the appropriate procedures and guidelines are followed, ensuring you have the best chance at this opportunity. If you win the lottery, we’ll also be there to assist in the activation of your license, or if, as the winner, you choose to immediately sell your license.
Why Choose Beverage License Specialists
As we’ve mentioned previously, Beverage License Specialists are a highly experienced team in the buying and selling of liquor licenses in the State of Florida. When buying or selling a liquor license, it’s essential to be working with the experts to ensure that you can get your establishment licensed and serving in a timely fashion. Beverage License Specialists can aid and properly advise you in navigating the complex process of acquiring a quota liquor license and can also be by your side through any negotiation processes that might be required in order to reach a fair conclusion that’ll benefit your business needs.
We’re Experienced in the World of Quota Licensing
Being well versed in the complex framework of the hospitality industry, we have over 30 years of experience navigating the rules and regulations for acquiring and selling liquor licenses across all of Florida’s counties. Without a proper team to guide you, it can be easy to fall into easily avoidable roadblocks that will delay the process and could cost you tremendous amounts of time, energy, and resources—resources that could be better spent elsewhere. Once the liquor license closing is complete, you can count on our team at Beverage License Specialists to wrap up any loose ends, culminating in the delivery of your license to your establishment. Our team will ensure that new ownership is properly documented, all fees are satisfied, and the transfer application packet is properly completed and submitted to the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco.
Start the Process for Your Florida Quota License Today with Beverage License Specialists
Put your trust in Beverage License Specialists. Our experienced and dedicated team is here to make this process streamlined for you. No one understands the process in Florida better than Beverage License Specialists. Acquiring or selling a Florida Quota Liquor License is a complicated process, but it doesn’t have to fall on your shoulders to navigate the murky waters. Let Beverage License Specialists make it easier for you. If you’re interested in learning about quota licenses and what the process entails for your particular case, contact us today and learn more about how we can simplify this process for you and your business.
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