How To Sell Liquor in Texas: 3 Steps for Success

Everything’s bigger in Texas — including small business opportunities!

If you’re hoping to turn your passion for fine spirits into a profitable liquor store in the Lone Star state, we’ve got you covered.

In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how to sell liquor in Texas, including how to secure your liquor license, stay compliant with Texas’ liquor laws, and succeed.

1. Determine What Type of Liquor License You Need

If you want to sell liquor in Texas, the right licensure is a must-have.

The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) issues a variety of liquor licenses to distilleries, distributors, bars, restaurants, and retailers. Determining which type of alcohol retail license you need can be intimidating, so we’ve curated a list of the most popular license types of liquor, beer, and wine stores in Texas:

A package store permit allows you to sell wine, beer, and liquor for off-premise consumption. This license also permits you to host tasting events in your liquor store, but you cannot formally serve alcohol for customers to consume in your space.
A wine and malt beverage retailer’s off-premise permit allows you to sell wine and malted beverages for off-premise consumption. This license type is designed for retailers who offer wine and beer but no hard liquor.
A retail dealer’s off-premise license allows you to sell malt beverages for off-premise consumption. This license is a great option for specialty beer stores.
A wine-only package store permit allows you to sell wine for off-premise consumption. This license also allows you to host tasting events in your store.
A consumer delivery permit authorizes you to transport alcoholic beverages from your store to a customer. This license is essential if you plan to sell liquor online for pickup or delivery.

Head to the TABC’s website for a full breakdown of the different types of Texas liquor licenses to determine which aligns with your business plan.

2. Budget and Apply for Your License

The next step for selling liquor in Texas is to apply for the proper license.

In this section, we’ll cover what you need to know before applying for your Texas liquor license — including how much it costs, what the application process looks like, and how to increase your chances of approval.

How Much Does a Texas Liquor License Costs?

First, let’s talk about how much it costs to secure a Texas liquor license.

Since the TABC offers so many different types of liquor licenses, there isn’t one specific number to budget for. Instead, we’ve identified the fees for the most popular types of Texas retail liquor licenses:

Package store permit: $1,800
Wine and malt beverage retailer’s off-premise permit: $1,900
Retail dealer’s off-premise license: $1,100
Wine-only package store permit: $1,600
Consumer delivery permit: $10,000

Check out the TABC’s website for the full list of fees and details.

Keep in mind that some counties and cities in Texas have additional license requirements and fees, so research your local laws before formalizing your budget.

How To Apply for a Texas Liquor License

You’ve set aside the funds; now it’s time to apply.

While you can submit a paper application through the mail, the TABC strongly recommends completing your application online. You’ll have to make an account, upload the required documentation, and fill out your application.

This process takes at least 60 days, and you’re required to post public signage declaring your intent to secure a TABC permit during this time. To avoid delays, start the application process well ahead of your planned grand opening date.

3. Stay Compliant With Texas’ Liquor Laws

The final step to sell liquor in Texas is understanding the state’s liquor laws. Failure to comply with these laws can lead to the loss of your liquor license or even the closure of your store, so don’t skip this critical step!

The TABC’s certification programs are your best resource for learning how to stay compliant and protect your store, but let’s take a quick look at two of the most important regulations.

Underage Alcohol Sales

All states, including Texas, strictly prohibit selling alcohol to customers under the age of 21, so age verification is a crucial part of your compliance strategy.

Your best bet to protect your community and your store from the consequences of underage alcohol sales is to invest in a point of sale (POS) system with built-in age verification. This tool prompts your cashiers to scan customers’ IDs at checkout, ensuring quick and secure age verification.

Sales and Inventory Reporting

The TABC requires you to collect and store key data about your liquor store’s operations, including inventory invoices, sales records, and more. You should be prepared to show this documentation to TABC authorities at any time.

Fortunately, a POS system designed for Texas liquor stores makes it easy to comply with this regulation. Your POS system will automatically generate invoices, sales records, and other informative reports — helping you stay compliant and learn more about your business and customers.

Bonus Tips for Starting a Successful Texas Liquor Store

Congratulations! Now you know how to sell liquor legally in Texas, so you’re ready to open your liquor store.

To set you up for success, we’ve made a list of our top tips for aspiring liquor store owners:

Research, research, research. Continue exploring the TABC’s website, reading articles like this one, and consulting with your local government to fully understand Texas’ liquor laws.
Create a business plan. Before taking concrete steps toward opening your store, make a comprehensive plan that outlines your business’ structure, product and pricing approach, and marketing strategy.
Set yourself apart. Texas has some tough competition in the liquor industry, but excellent customer service, a perfectly curated selection, and an effective marketing strategy can help you stand out from the crowd.
Invest in the right POS system. A POS system like Bottle POS makes running your liquor store a breeze. With our software, you can stay compliant, manage liquor inventory, build your loyal customer base, and grow your store.