To launch your own coffee brand in Georgia, decide first between white-labeling with a licensed Georgia roaster or roasting/packing under your own Food Sales Establishment License—white-label cuts startup time, self-roast gives margin control. Form an LLC, get an EIN, and register for a Georgia Sales and Use Tax number via the Georgia Tax Center; if you store, roast, or package, apply with the Georgia Department of Agriculture for the correct food license and verify your facility (not a home kitchen) meets ventilation and fire code for roasters. Lock down labeling to FDA 21 CFR 101: statement of identity (“Roasted Coffee”), net quantity in oz and g on the PDP, ingredient (“Coffee”), your name and address, lot/roast date; add grind, origin, and certifications (USDA Organic only if you’re certified). Specify packaging: 12‑oz or 2‑lb bags with one‑way valves, nitrogen flush, GS1 UPCs, O2 <2%, water activity <0.60. Price for 65–70% DTC margin; model COGS (green $3–5/lb, 12–18% roast loss, bag/label $0.60–$1, fulfillment $4–$7) to set MSRP $16–$22. Build a Georgia‑first channel: farmer’s markets (confirm market/vendor permits and sampling rules), wholesale to cafés with $1M liability COI and 5‑lb SKUs, and subscriptions; require QC cuppings, Agtron color targets, and traceable lot codes.
