Michael Shea

Central Florida's #1 Business Broker

Florida Liqour Licenses: What you need to know

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The Three Main License Categories

The cost and availability of a Florida liquor license depend primarily on what you want to sell and where you are located.

1. Beer and Wine Only (2COP & 2APS)

  • 2COP: Allows for the sale of beer and wine for consumption on-premises or in sealed containers for off-premises use. These are common for small restaurants and pubs.

  • 2APS: Strictly for package sales (off-premises consumption), typical for convenience stores or gas stations.

  • Availability: There is no limit on the number of these licenses issued by the state.

2. Full Liquor for Restaurants (4COP-SFS)

Formerly known as SRX licenses, these are “Special Food Service” licenses.

  • Requirement: The establishment must typically be between 2,500 and 5,000 square feet and derive at least 51% of gross revenue from food and non-alcoholic beverages.

  • Cost: These are much less expensive than “Quota” licenses because they are not limited in number.

3. The “Quota” License (4COP)

This is the most coveted license in Florida. It allows for the sale of beer, wine, and full spirits without the food-to-alcohol ratio requirements of an SFS license.

  • Limited Supply: The state only issues one new Quota license for every population increase of 7,500 residents in a county.

  • Acquisition: You can either win one in the annual lottery (held every August) or purchase one from an existing owner on the open market.

Costs and Market Values

While annual state fees are relatively low, the market value of a Quota license is driven by supply and demand.

License Type Annual State Fee (Range) Estimated Market Value
2COP (Beer/Wine) $112 – $392 Nominal / Application Fee
4COP-SFS (Restaurant) ~$1,820 Nominal / Application Fee
4COP (Quota) $624 – $1,820 $80,000 – $560,000+

  • Quota Market Price: Depending on the county, prices can range from $80,000 in some areas to over $500,000 in high-demand counties like Orange or Broward.

  • Transfer Fees: When a Quota license is sold, the state charges a transfer fee, which is often 4 mills (.004) of the average annual gross sales of the last 3 years, capped at $5,000.

How Licenses Are Transferred

Transferring a license is a legal process handled by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (AB&T).

  1. Purchase Agreement: The buyer and seller execute a contract, and the buyer usually places a 10% deposit in escrow.

  2. Due Diligence: The buyer must ensure the license is clear of any liens, encumbrances, or active violations.

  3. Application Submission: The buyer submits form DBPR ABT-6002, which includes background checks and fingerprinting for all interested parties.

  4. Zoning & Health Approval: For on-premises consumption, the location must receive zoning approval from the city/county and a health inspection.

  5. Temporary License: Buyers can often request a temporary license to begin operations while the permanent transfer is being processed.

Note: A Quota license can be moved to a new location within the same county, but it cannot be moved across county lines.