Opening a restaurant is no game. It’s a complicated enterprise that includes building permits and health inspections, for one. In fact, it takes multiple steps from concept to completion before a chef/owner can welcome his or her first diners.
To help Asheville restaurateurs navigate the ins and outs of needed permits and inspections, the City of Asheville’s Development Services Department developed a Restaurant Startup Guide. The tri-fold brochure, also available online, is colorfully designed and laid out like a board game to assist the user. The Restaurant Startup Guide also contains a QR code to aid in the user experience by redirecting the customer to all the necessary websites and links that are referenced in the brochure. The first step is Go! for folks who have a business plan and a location. Step 2: What permits do I need?
With more than 100 independent restaurants in Asheville — and more coming all the time — the Restaurant Startup Guide is designed to help simplify the process for business owners.
The guide is available at Asheville’s DSD Customer Service Counter, located in the Public Works Building, 161 S Charlotte St. It is also printable for anyone who wants to use it. Find it on the DSD Permits & Applications webpage.