Division of Hotels and Restaurants

Catering FAQ

All information on this page is current and was last reviewed by the division on November 12, 2009.

1. Q: Can I run a catering business out of my home?

A: No.  Florida law prohibits conducting food establishment operations in a private home, a room used as living or sleeping quarters, or an area directly opening into a room used as living or sleeping quarters. 

2. Q: Do I need a catering license if I run my business from a restaurant my friend owns?

A: Yes.  Separate, independent caterers using the equipment or premises of a licensed establishment are deemed operators (as defined by section 509.013, F.S.) of such public food service establishment and subject to all applicable requirements of law and rule.

3. Q: Will I need to go through a plan review if I use the facilities of an establishment licensed by the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services?

A: Yes.  Since the establishment has not been licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, a plan review is required.

4. Q: Can I use my catering vehicle to drive around and sell food to the public?

A: No.  Any vehicle operating in this manner must be licensed as a Mobile Food Dispensing Vehicle.

5. Q: Do I need a catering license to cook for people in their home?

A: If a person hires you to prepare food in a personal home and the person who hired you and his or her guests eats the food in the home, you are considered a personal chef and would not need a license from the division. If you prepare the food for customers outside of the home in which food is eaten or deliver the prepared food to the home, you need a catering license.