To start your coffee brand in Texas, decide first if you'll operate under Cottage Food or a licensed facility-this choice drives permits, where you can sell, and whether you can make cold brew. Under Texas Cottage Food, you may roast and sell whole-bean or ground coffee direct-to-consumer (including online with in-state shipping), but no wholesale, no third-party retailers, and no cold brew; include the required home-kitchen statement, ingredients, net weight, and your name/address on labels. For wholesale, multi-state ecommerce, or ready-to-drink products, use a commercial kitchen or co-packer, register the facility with FDA, follow cGMPs and lot coding, and obtain a DSHS Food Manufacturer license; cold brew typically needs a variance and HACCP plan or validated process and refrigeration. Form a Texas LLC, secure a registered agent, file a Certificate of Formation, and grab your EIN; file a sales tax permit to collect on taxable items (prepared drinks, merch). Source green coffee via reputable importers, lock in contracts, and define roast profiles; choose one-way valve bags, nitrogen flush if possible, and print UPCs/lot codes. Protect your brand with a USPTO trademark search and filing. Carry product liability insurance. Start sales with Texas cafes, farmers markets, and wholesale accounts; offer sampling.
