Buying an Existing Facility
When purchasing an existing facility, the new owner must obtain his or her own food service permit, as the permit does not transfer with the sale of an establishment between people or locations. The new owner must obtain a permit from the Wake County Department of Environmental Services Plan Review Section before operating.
PLEASE BE ADVISED that when you purchase an existing restaurant you may be required to make plumbing and electrical modifications and equipment replacements as necessary to comply with current code requirements. These modifications depend on changes to the menu, extent of renovation, and the age of the facility and equipment. Potential modifications to consider include, but are not limited to: sink locations, drain locations, refrigeration, water heater capacity, electrical, plumbing, hood systems, etc.
PLEASE FACTOR these potential costs and time requirements into your decision BEFORE you purchase an existing restaurant. Wake County staff may schedule a consultation with you at the restaurant site to identify requirements prior to your receiving a new food service permit.
To obtain a permit, complete the following steps:
- Complete and submit a Service Request Form.
- Submit a completed Plan Review Application.
- Submit the restaurant menu.
If you are building a new restaurant or remodeling an existing one, please refer to the section on Building or Remodeling a Facility.
In addition to obtaining a food service permit, there are other important factors to consider, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
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