What’s Involved With Getting A Liquor License for Your Restaurant?
You may have noticed it is getting more difficult to find a BYO restaurant these days. Most new venues seek out a liquor licence, and established businesses that were BYO are increasingly making the shift to become licensed. Get a quoteWhy are BYO restaurants
becoming a thing of the past?
Simply put – extra revenue. The restaurant and café game is a tough one and venues need to grasp every opportunity that encourages customers to spend. Profit margins on alcohol are quite good; but be mindful not to set prices too high. Customers are smart and will be aware of when they may be paying too much. Keep an eye on other venues and what they’re charging for drinks to ensure you’re competitively priced.
Customers expect it. By the time they find somewhere to park the car, walk to the restaurant and get seated, most customers don’t want to have to get up again to go and find a bottle shop. People dine out to enjoy service and convenience, and generally they are prepared to pay for that privilege. Certainly, you might still allow guests to BYO if they wish; but at least they will have the option to purchase their beverages from you.
Why are BYO restaurants becoming a thing of the past?
Simply put – extra revenue. The restaurant and café game is a tough one and venues need to grasp every opportunity that encourages customers to spend. Profit margins on alcohol are quite good; but be mindful not to set prices too high. Customers are smart and will be aware of when they may be paying too much. Keep an eye on other venues and what they’re charging for drinks to ensure you’re competitively priced.
Customers expect it. By the time they find somewhere to park the car, walk to the restaurant and get seated, most customers don’t want to have to get up again to go and find a bottle shop. People dine out to enjoy service and convenience, and generally they are prepared to pay for that privilege. Certainly, you might still allow guests to BYO if they wish; but at least they will have the option to purchase their beverages from you.
How to apply for a liquor licence
Over time the OLGR (Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation) have somewhat simplified the liquor licence application process, and the costs have come down. Perhaps that’s an indication that they support rising numbers of licensed venues around the state – aware that it encourages employment and growth within the industry.
You can complete the application yourself, or if you are pressed for time you can enlist a company such as ITS do the grunt work for you.
We have completed dozens of applications for busy venue owners and know exactly what is needed to get approvals through quickly. You can get on with your business without the stress and fuss of dealing with bureaucracy.
OLGR liquor license application costs
- OLGR application fee for Liquor Licence (Commercial Other) – $1342
- Catering Away endorsement on licence (optional) – $89
- Local Council Liquor Licence Investigation Application fee – around $400; but varies from council to council (this approval is required before submitting your application to OLGR)
- ASIC Coy search extract – $20
- Title Search on premises – $20
- Criminal History Check for each Director – $39 each
To cafes and restaurants who engage ITS to complete the application, we charge a fixed fee of $900+GST. We submit, follow up, and liaise with OLGR on your behalf throughout the process.
How does ITS help with the application process?
ITS submit all the above applications and paperwork and become the point of contact for OLGR for the duration of the process. We follow up when required, and resolve any outstanding issues along the way. This may include making site visits for the purposes of obtaining photographs to support your application. ITS will submit your RAMP (risk assessment management plan) to OLGR if required, and request relaxation of advertising the liquor licence to the public. We also request to waiver the requirement for a Community Impact Statement to help expedite the process. Of course we will still do these items if it is requested by OLGR.
So there is a bit to consider when you decide to go licensed and it can be a little daunting.
Certainly contact us direct if you have any questions, we are only too happy to help – because that’s what we do.
Have a restaurant or café you’d like to get licensed?
ITS can help make the process easy. For details and a quote, fill out your details in the form below
