The following resources provide important and helpful information If you are considering starting a Retail Food establishment such as a restaurant, grocery or convenience store, or bakery.

Food Service Facility Requirements (.pdf)

Retail Food Application (.pdf)

To view restaurant and retail food establishment inspection reports, please visit the inspection report website. 

“Priority item” means a violation which is directly related to hazards associated with foodborne illness or injury. “Priority item” includes items such as cooking, reheating, cooling, or handwashing.

“Priority foundation item” means a violation which supports or enables one or more Priority items to limit hazards. “Priority foundation item” includes an item such as personnel training, necessary equipment, formal food processing plans, documentation or record keeping, and labeling.

“Core item” means a violation that is not designated as a priority item or a priority foundation item.  “Core item” includes an item that usually relates to general sanitation, operational controls, sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOPs), equipment design, or general maintenance.

Food safety training can be obtained from multiple sources, including:

• Northcentral Technical College Food Safety Courses
• Wisconsin Restaurant Association ServSafe
• Tavern League of Wisconsin Food Safety Courses

Mobile food stands, often called food trucks, are any moveable vehicle or trailer from which food is prepared or served to customers. Mobile food stands have specific equipment requirements and can sell and serve wherever permitted under municipal regulations. Transient food stands are associated with a special events such as a concerts; sporting events; trade shows; flea markets or farmers markets; public exhibitions by artists, craftsman, or vehicle enthusiasts; a fair, carnival, circus, or governmentally recognized celebration based on a specific calendar date such as a holiday or anniversary.

Potlucks and bake sales are typically exempt from licensing if the conditions listed in ATCP 75.04(31) are met. Food safety remains the responsibility of the event and participants and information in https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents/FoodSafetyExemptGroups.pdf provides important steps to keep the event safe for attendees and successful.

• Mobile Food Stands (.pdf) | Spanish (.pdf)
• Special Event Food Safety (.pdf) | Spanish (.pdf)
• Safe Water for your Festival (.pdf)

Wisconsin Food Regulations:

• Chapter ATCP 75 – Retail Food Establishments
• Chapter ATCP 75 Appendix
• Home Bakeries – Licenses and Homemade Baked Goods