Please contact staff at the Culinary Center for more information. Email culinary@mymcpl.org or complete a contact form.

There is no cost to consult with Culinary Center staff about business practices, how to obtain requirements such as licenses and insurance, or to ask questions about opening or managing a food business.

It can vary depending on the needs of each client’s business, as well as the number of customers who are using a space or scheduled to use one. Typically, the time can range from a few weeks to several months.

Costs will vary depending on the type and scope of business. The following is a list of common registrations, licenses, certifications, and insurance you need to use the commercial kitchens at the Culinary Center. Some businesses will require additional items based on food products.

1. Register your business with the Missouri Secretary of State. 
   • Entities registered in another state will need to register as a “foreign” entity in Missouri. 
   • UMKC Legal Services Clinic can help with this process. 
2. Apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number.
3. Register for a State of Missouri Retail Sales Tax License (includes state of MO tax ID number).  
4. Visit Kansas City, MO Business License Registration for information about opening a restaurant or food business in Kansas City. KCBizCare can help with this process. 
5. A ServSafe Manager’s Certification in food safety and sanitation is required. There are several options to get certified: 
   • Online through ServSafe website 
   • Platte County Health Department 
   • Missouri Restaurant Association 
   • Clay County Public Health
6. General Liability Insurance: MCPL has a guide for GL insurance specifics that we ask for, I can give you that guide to share with your agent when you get to this point. Please note: MCPL will need to be added as additionally insured to your policy. The policy would need to meet some minimum requirements. Staff can provide this info to you and your insurance agent upon request.    
7. Food products that are shelf stable or products intended for wholesale may be required to meet additional regulatory requirements. 
   • Most food products will need to register with the FDA.
   • Many animal-based products will need to register with the USDA.
   • Some food products will require testing by a Process Authority.

There are programs that can help you finance start up fees for your food business. A couple of options to research are AltCap and Justine Petersen.

There are more than 200 KC area organizations that are dedicated to helping small businesses. Some great places to get started are: 

KC SourceLink
Resources to start and grow small businesses. 

SCORE
Offers classes and business mentors.

Square One Small Business
Mid-Continent Public Library’s in-house specialists help support local entrepreneurs through access to information, programs, and opportunity.