To start a coffee shop in Mississippi, form an LLC or corporation with the Secretary of State, obtain an EIN, register for sales tax with the Mississippi Department of Revenue, and secure your city privilege license and MSDH food permit after a passed inspection. Choose a site zoned for restaurant use; drive-thru frontage on commuter corridors performs best, and you will need building, signage, and certificate-of-occupancy approvals. Expect a fire marshal review for egress, suppression if you cook, and maximum occupancy. Submit plans to the Mississippi State Department of Health detailing layout, equipment list, plumbing, hand sinks, a three-compartment sink, hot-water capacity, and a grease interceptor, and ensure a Certified Food Protection Manager is on duty. Budget for water filtration, a 220V line for espresso, adequate floor drains, and HVAC that handles humidity. Open vendor accounts with regional roasters and dairy distributors, and negotiate early-morning deliveries. Set prices to cover the 7% state sales tax plus any local tourism or restaurant taxes, and program them in your POS. Hire to coverage, not headcount; Mississippi requires workers’ comp at five or more employees. Register payroll withholding with DOR and unemployment with MDES. If serving beer or liqueur coffees, obtain ABC permits.
