- 1). Choose the precise location for your restaurant in Iowa. Location is one of the most important determinants of a restaurant's success, so take into account the type of clientele you want to attract. If you want foot traffic, downtown Des Moines is your best bet. Another choice to reel in the tourist dollar is Davenport, on the Mississippi River.
- 2). Write a business plan, which should include where you choose to place your restaurant and what it plans to serve. For example, you might want to open a tourist-oriented restaurant serving local trout on the Mississippi River. Taking into account all the costs--space rental, renovation, staff salaries, ingredients, equipment, tools, decorations, furniture, licenses, insurance, and other fees and paperwork--estimate how much startup capital you will need. Present the business plan to private investors or go to the bank for a loan.
- 3). Contact the Iowa Department of Public Health. They will be the ones to issue your food handler's license, which requires you to pass a written test. Once your business is up and running, inspectors from this department will come around for regular checks.
- 4). Go to your local city hall to apply for a business identification number. In order to legally operate in Iowa, you will need one of these to list on your tax forms.
- 5). Apply for a liquor license if you choose to serve wine, beer or spirits at your restaurant. In Iowa, the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division is responsible for these licenses. They cost a few hundred dollars, the prices depending in part on whether you serve hard liquor or not. Fill out the application form on their website.
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