To start a coffee brand in Florida, move fast on compliance and sourcing so you can sell legally and scale. Form an LLC on Sunbiz (Florida Division of Corporations), secure your FEIN, and file the Florida Business Tax Application (DR-1) to register for sales tax; collect tax on prepared drinks, while packaged beans typically are exempt. If you roast or package, apply for a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Food Processing Plant permit; if you operate a café or cart, license with DBPR’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Confirm zoning, ventilation, and fire clearances before installing a roaster. Label retail bags to FDA/FDACS standards: brand name, net weight in US/metric, ingredients, business name and address, lot code, and origin/roast date if you claim it. Decide build vs buy: start with a co-packer or shared roastery to validate demand, then invest in a 5–15 kg roaster, proper afterburner, and heat-resistant, one-way-valve bags with climate-controlled storage for Florida heat. Filter water to SCA targets (alkalinity 40–70 ppm, hardness 50–175 ppm) for consistent flavor. Insure for product and general liability, set HACCP-style sanitation SOPs, and choose channels—farmers markets, wholesale to cafes, and Shopify—with clear COGS and margins above 60% sustained.
