To start a coffee business in Kentucky, lock down compliance and site viability first: form your LLC with the Kentucky Secretary of State via the Kentucky One Stop Business Portal, get an EIN, and register for the 6% sales and use tax with the Department of Revenue. Before build‑out, submit plans to your local health department (e.g., Louisville Metro or Lexington‑Fayette) for retail food establishment approval; expect requirements like a handwash sink, a 3‑compartment sink, NSF/ANSI equipment, floor drains, and at least one ANSI Certified Food Protection Manager. Verify zoning, parking, and secure a Certificate of Occupancy and fire approvals; espresso bars often need 208–240V/30A circuits, GFCI where required, water filtration, and a floor drain for the espresso machine—hoods/grease interceptors only if you add cooking. For a mobile cart/truck, obtain a Mobile Food Unit permit and a commissary agreement. For roasting/packaging, apply for a Manufactured Food Establishment permit through the Kentucky Food Safety Branch and register commercial scales with the KY Department of Agriculture Weights & Measures. Budget for insurance (general/product liability), workers’ compensation, and a modern POS programmed for KY tax. Prioritize drive‑thru or high‑visibility corridors (I‑64/I‑75 spurs), local partnerships, and wholesale accounts to stabilize revenue from day one.
