Permits

Contact the health department early to introduce yourself and the company. Be sure the department understands that we are not a restaurant. If they ask you to choose what you are, please state that you are an off-site caterer or specialty gift basket shop. 

Certain counties may require you to install a grease trap in your space. If this is the case, you must contact the Construction department for assistance in obtaining a variance. Depending on the requirements, a grease trap may represent a significant additional cost to your build-out. As we are a low generator of grease, our stores do not require a large underground grease trap. A small 50-gallon unit installed beneath the 3-bay sink in your kitchen should suffice. EA can provide documentation and information that you can use to work with your Health Department to overcome this requirement. 

In most counties, obtaining the Health Department permit is your responsibility (in some states and/or counties, stores will have to apply with the Department of Agriculture instead). When you speak with the Health Department be sure to ask the following questions: 

• What paperwork you need to fill out for your health permit. 
• If you are required to have a Food Handler’s license. 
• If you do, ask what the procedure is to receive this license. 
• If you will be required to have architectural plans. 

Your General Contractor will most likely handle all your building permits. Please be sure to confirm. 

Please find below some general building permits* our stores are required to obtain. These include but are not limited to: 

• Electrical 
• Plumbing 
• Fire 
• Signage 
• Final Building 

* See local city department for any other permits needed; make sure everything is in writing. 

It is important to be aware of all permits needed regardless of whether your general contractor will handle permitting. 

You will receive the following types of permits for each above category: 

• Initial Permits - These permits allow for you to start construction. 
• Rough Permits - These permits are required after your contractor has installed all the rough electrical and plumbing items and before he/she seals up the floor and walls. An inspector will come out to review the work done before allowing the floors and walls to be sealed up and construction can proceed. 
• Final Permits - You will receive final permits after you pass all final inspections before you open your store. You will need to get a Certificate of Occupancy after you pass all inspections. 

*Per EA requirements, you will need to email your Certificate of Occupancy to the Construction Team 10 days before your scheduled opening week. 

Please note that if you fire your contractor mid-construction and have to a hire a new one, he/she cannot just start where the previous contractor left off. The new contractor must apply for initial permits and/or rough permits all over again. You will not receive final permits or your Certificate of Occupancy if you have one set of permits done by one contractor and another set of permits done by another contractor. The same contractor’s name must be on all permits issued to be able to officially open your store. 

Certificate of Occupancy 

All stores must receive a Certificate of Occupancy (or the equivalent) ten (10) days prior to a planned opening and before any on-site support will be scheduled for that store’s opening. The C of O is issued from either the Health Department or Building Department, depending on the county. It is issued after the store has passed all final inspections from, but not limited to, the following departments: 

• Electrical 
• Plumbing 
• Fire 
• Building 
• Health 
• Agriculture (if applicable) 

Some inspectors may need the store’s SIC number. This number is dependent upon on how the store was classified. Please note the options below: 

               Fruit Basket-Gift:     5947-32 

               Florist:                            4531-10 

               Misc. Retail:                4539-98 

Once you get your permits, we will start our “Countdown to Openings” calls. These calls will be scheduled as needed and will be to make sure the franchisee is doing everything they are supposed to be doing.