Open a Deli / Grocery in Greater Philadelphia (and Pennsylvania)
This guide covers entity setup, food/health licensing, taxes, SNAP/WIC, tobacco/lottery options, scales & scanners, and Philadelphia-specific rules.
On this page:
1
Form your business & register for taxes
2
Food/health licensing
Pennsylvania (outside Philadelphia)
- Groceries and delis are Retail Food Facilities and require a license from the PA Dept. of Agriculture (PDA). Process: plan review → inspection → license.
- PDA Retail Food Facilities (help line): (717) 787‑4315. Info & forms: PDA Retail Food.
Philadelphia (in‑city locations)
- Apply for a Food Establishment—Retail, Permanent Location license (packaged retail) and/or a Food Preparation & Serving license (if preparing foods).
- Submit a Health Department Plan Review for Stationary Food Businesses (after zoning approval, before construction/equipment install).
- Office of Food Protection: 321 University Ave., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104 · (215) 685‑7495.
3
PA sales tax: prepared vs. grocery items
- Many grocery staples are sales‑tax exempt in PA (e.g., most cold staple foods).
- Prepared foods are taxable (made‑to‑order sandwiches/hoagies, hot foods, ready‑to‑eat meals). Configure your POS to separate exempt staples from taxable prepared foods.
- Philadelphia Beverage Tax (sweetened beverages distributed for retail sale in the city) may apply. Verify distributors and product categories.
4
Accepting SNAP/EBT and WIC (optional but common)
WIC (PA)
Full‑line groceries can seek authorization via the PA Dept. of Health vendor portal.
PA WIC Vendors 5
Tobacco, lottery, and beer-to‑go
Tobacco Products
- PA retail tobacco license via myPATH
- Philadelphia also requires a Tobacco Retailer Permit
Lottery
- Apply with the PA Lottery
- Become a Retailer
- Info: (717) 702‑8080
Beer to‑go
- Requires an Eating Place (E) or Restaurant (R) liquor license
- Seating and food service required
- PLCB license types
6
Scales & scanners
- Philadelphia: a Scales & Scanners License is required per location (covers all devices). Customer‑visible price displays are required for electronic scanners.
- Weights & Measures (state): PA Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Ride & Measurement Standards · main line (717) 787‑9089.
7
Zoning, build‑out, and inspections (Philadelphia)
- Confirm zoning for retail food use at the address; seek permits/variances as needed.
- Submit health plan review → build to approved plans → schedule final inspection with the Office of Food Protection: (215) 685‑7495.
- Permit & License Center (appointments): 1401 JFK Blvd., MSB Concourse · City info: Permits & Licenses.
Daily operations checklist
- Post your retail food license; ensure a certified food protection manager is available as required.
- Program your POS for PA rules (exempt staples vs. taxable prepared foods) and apply Philadelphia Beverage Tax when applicable.
- Maintain scale calibration/inspection records; respond to Weights & Measures notices promptly.
Handy contacts & links
| Purpose | Agency | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Food Facilities (outside Philly) | PA Dept. of Agriculture | Retail Food · (717) 787‑4315 |
| Plan review & inspections (Philadelphia) | Office of Food Protection | 321 University Ave., 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104 · (215) 685‑7495 |
| Food Establishment—Retail License | City of Philadelphia | Apply online |
| Food Preparation & Serving License | City of Philadelphia | Apply online |
| Commercial Activity License | City of Philadelphia | eCLIPSE |
| Philadelphia taxes (BIRT, etc.) | Philadelphia Tax Center | tax-services.phila.gov |
| SNAP/EBT retailer | USDA FNS | Apply |
| WIC vendor (PA) | PA Dept. of Health | Vendor info |
| Tobacco products license (state) | PA Dept. of Revenue | myPATH |
| Philadelphia Tobacco Retailer Permit | City of Philadelphia | Apply |
| PA Lottery — become a retailer | PA Lottery | Start · (717) 702‑8080 |
| Scales & Scanners License (Philly) | City of Philadelphia | Details |
| Weights & Measures (state) | PA Dept. of Agriculture | (717) 787‑9089 |
Quick launch checklist
- Form entity, get EIN, register in myPATH.
- (Philly) Get Commercial Activity License; set up BIRT.
- Secure site & zoning; submit Health Plan Review.
- Buy/install equipment to approved plans; schedule inspection.
- POS configuration: taxable prepared foods vs. exempt staples; beverage tax if applicable.
- (If weighing/scanning) Get Scales & Scanners License; arrange calibration.
- (Optional) Apply for SNAP/EBT and WIC.
- (Optional) Apply for tobacco, lottery, and (if desired) PLCB license for beer to‑go.