To start a coffee business in Minnesota, pick your model—café, roastery, or mobile—and align the correct license: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) retail food license (with plan review) for cafés/carts, or Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) food processing/wholesale license for roasters. Register your entity and Assumed Name with the Secretary of State, obtain a Minnesota Tax ID and sales tax permit, and configure POS to tax prepared beverages while exempting packaged beans. Before you build, secure zoning approval, submit stamped floor plans, menu, and equipment specs for MDH plan review (30–45 days), and coordinate building, fire, and ventilation permits; roasters often need dedicated exhaust/afterburners and may trigger Minnesota Pollution Control Agency thresholds. Hire or become a Certified Food Protection Manager, train staff, and finalize a written illness policy, temperature logs, and allergen procedures. For mobile units, get a Base of Operations agreement and potable water/wastewater plans. Minneapolis/St. Paul have higher minimum wages and no tip credit statewide—budget labor accordingly. Source from licensed suppliers, validate water quality, and install appropriately sized grease interceptors. If packaging beans, follow FDA/MDA labeling (identity, net weight, business name/address; ingredients for flavored coffee). Schedule pre-opening inspection and keep proof of insurance and workers’ comp onsite ready.
