As you probably know, the state of Tennessee requires businesses who sell alcohol to have a license, but did you know that if you serve alcohol to patrons, you need a license as well?
The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission issues several different kinds of licenses related to the production, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the state of Tennessee. Here’s a quick rundown of the different types of licenses and how much they cost.
What are the ABC License Fees?
The Commission publishes the fees for the different licenses required to produce, transport, and distribute alcoholic beverages in Tennessee.
“Liquor by the Drink” Licenses
A majority of the licenses required by the state are “Liquor by the Drink” licenses. The type of license required (and attendant cost) depends on the type of business at which one wants to serve alcohol.
Restaurants ($650–$1,200)
The cost of the license for a restaurant is determined by the restaurant’s seating capacity. Up to 275 seats, the cost for a license rises in increments of an additional 50 seats. On the less-expensive end, a license for a restaurant with 40–74 seats costs $650. On the more expensive end, A restaurant with 276 seats or more costs $1,200.
Restaurants, wine only ($275–$350)
As with other restaurants, the license for a restaurant that serves wine and no other alcohol is determined by seating capacity. If your restaurant has up to 275 seats, the cost for a license rises in increments of 50 seats. A restaurant with 40–125 seats must pay $275 for its license. A restaurant with 276 seats or more costs $350.
The license for a limited-service restaurant is determined by the gross sales percentage of prepared food.
Limited Service Restaurant ($2,000–$5,000)
The license for a limited-service restaurant is determined by the gross sales percentage of prepared food.
Hotels and Motels ($1,000–$1,500)
The cost of an alcoholic beverage license for a hotel or a motel is determined by the number of rooms and ranges in price from $1,000 to $1,500.
Other facilities
The Commission’s fee page lists more than 20 additional types of business and the costs of their liquor licenses. The least-expensive fee of $150 is for licenses for facilities including:
- Aquarium
- Aquarium Exhibition Facility
- Bed and Breakfast
- Community Theater
- Historic Interpretive Center
- Historic Mansion House Site
- Historic Performing Arts Center
- Museum
- Zoological Institute
- certain types of Urban Park Centers
The most expensive license of $4,000 is required for certain types of Urban Park Centers. The Commission can provide interested parties with specifics. The Commission also approves a “Special Occasion License” for $100, for 12 days per calendar year.
ABC Permit Fees
The Commission grants permits for suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers.
| Armed Forces Import | $100.00 |
| Delivery Service Employee | $50.00 |
| Retail Package Store/Food Store Manager (5 Years) | $50.00 |
| Server (5 Years) | $20.00 |
| Supplier’s Representative (1 Year) | $50.00 |
| Wholesaler Employee (5 Years) | $20.00 |
| Wholesaler Representative (5 Years) | $20.00 |