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How to start a restaurant, grocery, caterer or other food service business

    Following the proper steps will ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws. Choosing to avoid any of these laws, regulations or ordinances will result in legal action by various agencies.
The Franklin County Health Department annually permits and inspects, nearly 400 food service establishments in Frankfort and Franklin County. It is our goal to insure that a safe, wholesome, high-quality food product is provided to all consumers.
     
   
Step 1     
Please contact our office as soon as possible! There are specific requirements that must be met to properly operate a food service business and it is our goal to help you at every step. If you plan to move into an existing building where a restaurant or grocery has recently closed, contact the Franklin County Health Department’s Food Safety Specialist to find out if what you are proposing can be done in the existing structure without a lot of costly renovations. If you plan to move into a building that has never or not recently been a restaurant or grocery, or if you plan to build a new building, contact us to see if what you’re proposing could be done in the structure.
Step 2

Please contact the Frankfort Sewer Department (502/875-2448)
There are specific requirements concerning grease and waste disposal that must be addressed with the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Inspector. Your licensed Master Plumber will install the required grease trap necessary for your business.
Step 3

Put your plans on paper, showing your kitchen layout, equipment and structural specifications, water and waste sources, plumbing additions and changes etc., and provide these plans to our Food Safety Specialist.
A licensed Master Plumber must complete all plumbing work.
The plumber will draw the plans and submit to the our department. Our Food Safety Specialist will review your plans along with the local plumbing inspector to see if your proposal meets all applicable laws and requirements.
If there are any changes to made, it’s easier and less costly for you to change on paper than once your facility is constructed. 
 
Step 4

Once your plans are approved, you may begin construction of your restaurant or grocery.
 
Step 5
Applying for a permit to operate,  providing pertinent information and paying the applicable fees. Again, this would be done through the the Franklin County Health Department.
Step 6
Provide our Food Safety Specialist a listing of menu items and be ready and able to explain how these menu items will be prepared from scratch to finish, including cooking times and temperatures, holding times and temperatures, leftover procedures, refrigeration temperatures and more. Our Food Safety Specialist with Franklin County Health Department will want to make sure you know how to safely prepare and serve all foods on your menu.
Step 7
Provide our Food Safety Specialist a listing of menu items and be ready and able to explain how these menu items will be prepared from scratch to finish, including cooking times and temperatures, holding times and temperatures, leftover procedures, refrigeration temperatures and more. Our Food Safety Specialist with Franklin County Health Department will want to make sure you know how to safely prepare and serve all foods on your menu.
              
 

 


Important to remember additional contacts
•  City of Frankfort or Franklin County Planning and Zoning Business licensing, Zoning, Fire code requirements, Sewer Department, etc.  
•  Franklin County Health Department   Permit requirements, plans, etc. 
•   KRS Statute
 KRS 217.005-217.215 and 217.992
•   Other agencies as needed
 ABC (if alcohol), Dept of Agriculture (egg license), etc.



For more information please contact our Environmental Health Group during office hours
Office Location:  851 East West Connector
When using MapQuest, Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, OnStar, Etc: Use 100 Moore Drive, Frankfort, KY 40601
Then turn Right for FCHD PHC Building
Office Hours:  8:00am - 9:30am
Phone Number: (502) 564 - 7382
Contact: Wesley Clark, or Kendra Palmer

Our Mission: Prevent. Promote. Protect. Franklin County.
Our Vision: Live. Work. Play. Pray. Healthy!
Our Values: Accountability, Dedication, Empowerment, Equity, Excellence, Flexibility, Integrity, Respect

 

 

The Franklin County Health Department is committed to a policy of providing opportunities to people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. FCHD is an equal opportunity provider and equal opportunity employer.

The Franklin County Health Department endeavors to make its Website accessible to the widest possible audience. Any problems with or questions about the Franklin County Health Department Website may be directed to the  webmaster.

 

 FCHD will be closed the following dates   FCHD Board of Health Meetings - Special Meetings  
Monday   Jan 20 Martin Luther King Day         
Thursday March 12

Staff Development Day

FCHD CLOSED 

        
Friday April 10  Good Friday, Closed 1/2 day         
Monday May 25 Memorial Day        
Thursday  June 4

Staff Development Meeting 

FCHD Closed 

        
Friday July 3 Independence Day         
Monday Sept 7 Labor Day      FCHD Board of Health Meetings -  
Tuesday Nov 3 Presidential Election Day    
 6pm at FCHD - Public Health Center, Available to the public online as needed to COVID19. 
  
Wednesday Nov 11 Veterans Day     September 21, 2020  
Thursday Nov 26 Thanksgiving Day     December 21, 2020  
Friday Nov 27 FCHD Closed      March 15, 2021  
Thursday  Dec 24 Christmas Eve     June 21, 2021  
Wednesday Dec 25 Christmas Day        
Thursday Dec 31 New Year's Eve        
Frday  Jan 1,2021 New Year's Day