I Decided to Open a Restaurant. Now What?

New customers frequently ask the staff at TexasPHS what is needed to open a new restaurant or bar. TexasPHS has the answers. Below is a detailed list of the required items and aspects of a new restaurant or watering hole that must be in place prior to the issuance of a health permit.

1. All equipment shall be commercial grade and certified by NSF/ANSI. No residential equipment is allowed in a commercial food establishment. All containers/utensils shall be food grade.
2. All hot and cold holding units working properly. All coolers equipped with ambient thermometers.
3. Soap, paper towels, handwashing signs, and garbage cans available at all handwashing sinks. Hot and cold running water provided at all sinks. Hot water shall reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Three-compartment sink and/or dish machine installed and working properly. Drainboards or equivalent shelving installed for proper air-drying. Drain plugs/stoppers provided for three-compartment sink.
5. All floors, walls, ceilings, and food contact surfaces shall be smooth, non-absorbent, durable, and easily cleanable. All raw wood sealed.
6. Sanitizer and sanitizer test strips provided.
7. Stem thermometer properly scaled (0-220 degrees Fahrenheit) available to measure food temps.
8. Weather stripping installed around exterior doors.
9. Exterior/bathroom doors self-closing. Covered waste container in women’s restroom.
10. Lights installed and functioning properly. Light shields installed.
11. CO2/helium tanks secured in place.
12. First Aid kit.
13. A written policy to cleanup any vomiting or diarrhea accident. A Bodily Fluid Cleanup Kit would meet this requirement.
14. Choking poster provided in an area visible to all employees.
15. Food Allergy Awareness poster provided in an area visible to all employees.
16. Dumpster/grease barrel located on a non-absorbent surface. Drain plugs installed inside dumpster. Dumpster shall have tight-fitting lids.
17. Consumer Advisory provided in menu for any raw or undercooked animal foods. Additional oyster warning sign provided in menu if serving raw shellfish.
18. A written Employee Health Policy.

Requirements vary by jurisdiction, but this is a pretty comprehensive list of all of various things that must be in place before a jurisdiction will issue a permit.

Best of luck!