Coffee shop business setup South Carolina requires securing approvals in this order: entity, tax, site, health, and opening. Form an LLC with the SC Secretary of State (online, $110), get an EIN, then apply for an SC Department of Revenue Retail License ($50) to collect state and local sales tax and any city hospitality tax. Confirm zoning (restaurant/coffee use, parking, drive‑thru approvals) and pull building permits; you will need a Certificate of Occupancy after final building and fire inspections. Submit plans to SC DHEC for Retail Food Establishment plan review (30 days typical) before build‑out; include equipment layout, plumbing, finish schedule, and menu. Install required hand sinks, a 3‑compartment sink, NSF equipment, an RPZ backflow preventer on espresso, and a grease interceptor sized by your sewer authority. Maintain a Certified Food Protection Manager (e.g., ServSafe) on staff; follow 41°F cold holding and milk handling. Register with SCDEW for unemployment, carry workers’ comp if you have 4+ employees, and obtain a local business license and sign permit. If serving beer/wine, obtain an ABL on‑premise permit. For espresso quality and boiler protection, target water 75–150 ppm TDS, chloride under 30 ppm, and install carbon/softening filtration. Typical timeline: 8–12 weeks overall to open.
