Can Food Trucks Serve Alcohol in Florida?
In Florida, food trucks cannot sell alcoholic beverages except with a special city permit for festivals or celebrations. To obtain a liquor license for a food truck is difficult. While there can be limitations in getting a liquor license for a food truck, you could still be profitable while selling alcohol from a food truck.
If your food truck gains business from private events or catering jobs, you could be eligible to serve alcohol. The licenses that let food truck operators sell alcohol include the Alcohol Catering license. This enables food caterers to stock and serve alcoholic beverages at events in addition to food catering. To qualify for this license caterers have to be certified by the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants.
- Each catered event must generate over 50 percent of a caterer’s total food and drink sales from food and nonalcoholic drinks. Alcohol not consumed must be taken back or left with the customer.
Food Truck Licensing in Florida
As a food truck owner, you must obtain a food service license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation too. This license ensures your food truck complies with food safety laws.
In Florida, food trucks are not allowed to distribute alcoholic drinks. Only permanent licensed locations like bars and restaurants can. But if a food truck operates at such a location it can serve alcohol following state guidelines. It is illegal in Florida to drink alcohol while in a moving vehicle.