To start a coffee business in North Dakota, form your LLC or corporation with the Secretary of State via the FirstStop portal, file a trade name if using a DBA, get an EIN, and register for sales/use tax with the Office of State Tax Commissioner. Secure a retail food license through your local public health unit (under ND Health & Human Services); mobile carts need a mobile unit permit and commissary agreement; one Certified Food Protection Manager must be on staff. If roasting, obtain a food manufacturing license through the ND Department of Agriculture and verify any air-quality thresholds with the Department of Environmental Quality; install UL-listed venting, an afterburner if required, and comply with Weights & Measures for packaged beans sold by weight. Before hiring, open workers’ comp with Workforce Safety & Insurance and unemployment insurance with Job Service ND; carry general liability and product coverage. Site smart: drive‑thru and vestibules excel in winters; confirm zoning, signage, grease interceptor (if food), 200A+ electrical, 3/8" water, floor drain, and 208V circuits for espresso. Calibrate water to SCA specs (approx. 50–70 ppm alkalinity, 100–150 TDS). Standardize bar flow (1:2 espresso, 25–30s), train for sub‑3‑minute drive‑thru, and price with 65–70% gross margin.
