If you’re a server in Tennessee, you may wonder if you need an ABC card to serve beer. The short answer to this question is “Yes, you do.” A person must have On-Premise Permit (Server Permit) in order to serve liquor, wine and high gravity beer at an establishment that holds an On-Premise Consumption License (Liquor By the Drink License). The permit is valid for 5 years from the date that it is issued.

What steps do you need to take to get your ABC card in Tennessee? Read on!

Requirements to get an ABC Card

• You must be at least eighteen (18) years old
• You must complete a TABC certified alcohol awareness program within the previous year prior to applying for an On-Premise Server Permit
  

Once you have your certificate of completion, you must apply for your permit, which you can do online via the Regulatory Licensing Permit System. However, this certificate is not your permit.

Also, if you don’t obtain your permit within one year of successfully completing the course, you’ll need to attend (and pass!) a training course again. The permit itself costs $20— and remember, this fee is a lot cheaper than the fines you’ll be hit with if you’re discovered serving beer without your ABC card.

Grace Period

There’s one exception to the rule: New servers have a one time sixty-one (61) day grace period from their original date of hire to attend a TABC certified alcohol awareness training class and have a server permit on file with the establishment of hire.

So, if you are hired by an establishment with an On-Premise Consumption License on March 1, you have 61 days (or until May 1) to attend and obtain your server permit. You would be able to serve beer or other alcohol during this grace period.

Also, make note that this is a one time grace period. If you change jobs, you will not be given a new grace period each time.

Restrictions to obtaining an ABC Card

Keep in mind these restrictions when you’re ready to get an ABC Card:

• An individual may not have a felony conviction for an offense that bears directly on the applicant’s fitness to practice competently, as determined by the commission.
• An individual may not have a conviction for any crime related to the sale of alcoholic beverages, beer, schedules 1 and 2 controlled substances, controlled substance analogues, or any sex-related crime, or embezzlement within the previous eight (8) years
• An individual may not have had an employee or server permit or similar permit issued in a foreign jurisdiction revoked by an issuing authority within the previous five (5) years
• An individual may not have had any ownership interest in any wholesale, retail, liquor-by-the-drink, or beer license or permit revoked by the using authority within the previous eight (8) years

Ready to get your ABC card so you can legally serve beer in Tennessee? Aim To Serve is here to help! We offer state-sanctioned classes, both on- and off-premise, so you’re sure to find a class that works with your schedule! Click here to contact us today!

As you probably know, the state of Tennessee requires businesses who sell alcohol to have a license, but did you know that if you serve alcohol to patrons, you need a license as well?

The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission issues several different kinds of licenses related to the production, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the state of Tennessee.  Here’s a quick rundown of the different types of licenses and how much they cost. 

What are the ABC License Fees? 

The Commission publishes the fees for the different licenses required to produce, transport, and distribute alcoholic beverages in Tennessee.

“Liquor by the Drink” Licenses

A majority of the licenses required by the state are “Liquor by the Drink” licenses. The type of license required (and attendant cost) depends on the type of business at which one wants to serve alcohol.

Restaurants ($650–$1,200)

The cost of the license for a restaurant is determined by the restaurant’s seating capacity. Up to 275 seats, the cost for a license rises in increments of an additional 50 seats. On the less-expensive end, a license for a restaurant with 40–74 seats costs $650. On the more expensive end, A restaurant with 276 seats or more costs $1,200.

Restaurants, wine only ($275–$350)

As with other restaurants, the license for a restaurant that serves wine and no other alcohol is determined by seating capacity. If your restaurant has up to 275 seats, the cost for a license rises in increments of 50 seats. A restaurant with 40–125 seats must pay $275 for its license. A restaurant with 276 seats or more costs $350.

The license for a limited-service restaurant is determined by the gross sales percentage of prepared food.

Limited Service Restaurant ($2,000–$5,000)

The license for a limited-service restaurant is determined by the gross sales percentage of prepared food.

Hotels and Motels ($1,000–$1,500)

The cost of an alcoholic beverage license for a hotel or a motel is determined by the number of rooms and ranges in price from $1,000 to $1,500.

Other facilities

The Commission’s fee page lists more than 20 additional types of business and the costs of their liquor licenses. The least-expensive fee of $150 is for licenses for facilities including:

• Aquarium
• Aquarium Exhibition Facility
• Bed and Breakfast
• Community Theater
• Historic Interpretive Center
• Historic Mansion House Site
• Historic Performing Arts Center
• Museum
• Zoological Institute
• certain types of Urban Park Centers
  

The most expensive license of $4,000 is required for certain types of Urban Park Centers. The Commission can provide interested parties with specifics. The Commission also approves a “Special Occasion License” for $100, for 12 days per calendar year.

ABC Permit Fees

The Commission grants permits for suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers. 

All states and the District of Columbia have laws regulating the production, sale, and distribution of alcohol within their borders. But in many states, the authority on these regulations is that state’s “Alcoholic Beverage Control” Board (or a similarly designated agency). 

State and local laws regarding alcohol vary widely across the country, but an up-to-date permit from a state agency is required to produce, sell, and distribute alcohol in the state where you operate your business. Tennessee is no exception! Here’s a quick rundown on the ABC permit. 

The Control States and Jurisdictions 

17 states have adopted the “Control” model. These states control the sale of distilled spirits and, in some cases, wine and beer, through government agencies at the wholesale level. The 17 states are:

• Alabama
• Idaho
• Iowa
• Maine
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Jurisdictions in Alaska, Maryland, Minnesota, and South Dakota have adopted the Control model as well.

13 of these 21 jurisdictions exercise control over retail sales for the off-premises consumption of alcohol, either through government-operated package stores or designated agents.

As of 2019, these jurisdictions represent approximately 25.2% of the nation’s population and account for roughly 22% of distilled spirit sales and a significantly smaller percentage of beer and wine sales.

Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission

The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s website has information about the state’s alcoholic beverage laws. The commission approves 7 different types of alcohol permits:

• Armed Forces Import
  This permit allows any individual who has been stationed outside the United States while serving as an active member of the armed forces of the United States, or an active member of a reserve or Tennessee National Guard unit to ship any wine they acquired while living outside the United States into the State of Tennessee.
  
  
• Delivery Service Employee
  This is a permit for an establishment that is retained by a licensed retailer to deliver alcoholic beverages and beer.
• Designated Manager
  This is a permit for an individual in actual control of the alcohol, wine, or beer operations of a retail package store or a retail food store wine license.
• Server
  An On-Premise Permit (Server Permit) allows any person to serve liquor, wine and high gravity beer at an establishment that holds an On-Premise Consumption License (Liquor By the Drink License). This permit is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
• Supplier Representative
  A representative of any manufacturer, rectifier or importer must have a Supplier’s Representative permit from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission before they can solicit orders from a licensed wholesaler in the State of Tennessee. This permit expires December 31st on the year of issue.
  
  
• Wholesaler Employee
  Any person dispensing alcoholic beverages in a wholesaler’s place of business must have a wholesale employee permit from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. This permit is valid 5 years from the date of issue.
• Wholesaler Representative
  Each representative or salesperson of any wholesale license in Tennessee must obtain a wholesaler representative permit from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission before soliciting orders from any retail licensee. No other person shall be allowed to solicit orders for alcoholic beverages from retail licensees, and retail licensees shall not give an order to anyone other than the holder of a wholesale representative permit. This permit is valid 5 years from the date of issue.

Get Your ABC Permit Today

If you are seeking on-premise or off-premise training to get your ABC permit, look no further than Aim To Serve. We ensure that you and your team have the training you need to safely serve in Tennessee. Click here to contact us today!

If you’re planning to serve or sell alcoholic beverages in the state of Tennessee, then you need an Alcoholic Beverage Control license through the state. These licenses, also known as ABC cards, are designed to ensure that all persons serving and selling alcohol have a basic set of facts. They’ll know how to prevent over-serving, when to intervene, and how to prevent underage consumption.

Whether you’re staffing your grocery store, serving at a restaurant, or bartending at the new hot spot in town doesn’t matter. You must receive training and a license if you plan to distribute alcohol in Tennessee. How costly are this ABC card and the training necessary to get the card?

The Cost of an ABC Card

Registering for an ABC card through the state costs $20 to serve alcohol.  The license is valid for 5 years. Additionally, the state must know that you and your team are properly trained in the safe distribution of alcohol. This training costs $70 for a 5-hour course. It also includes information on any new laws so that you and your team are all in-the-know about current regulations.

Through AimToServe, we are happy to work with your corporate team nationally as well. Instead of training store by store, server by server, your whole team gets educated on the best practices to serve and sell alcohol.

Save Money in the Long Run

Another thing to consider? Proper training saves money. When your employees understand the ins and outs of serving and selling alcohol, you’ll avoid fees and fines. You’ll know you’re up-to-date on the most recent changes to laws and regulations as long as you’re current on your classes.

What do you risk when you don’t get your ABC card? Fines, loss of your liquor license, increase to your insurance rates, and even closure of your business. If everyone knows how to follow the proper protocol, your liquor license won’t be in jeopardy. Also, you won’t have to deal with infractions and penalties for improper distribution.

Let AimToServe inform your team to help keep your business free from fines and infractions. Contact us today for more information about how we can serve your business and schedule training today to obtain your ABC card. It’s an investment you can’t afford to miss.

Bartender Training for Safety – How to Protect the Public and Your Business from Excessive Drinking

We’ve all seen someone at a club or a bar who has definitely had too much to drink. Sometimes they are out with friends and it’s clear that the friends are “taking care” of the excessive drinker. Other times, the person is alone. In either case, it’s the responsibility of a bartender to do everything they can to make sure the public is safe from drunk drivers.

Yes, in addition to knowing how to mix drinks, entertain, have good customer service, be therapists, handle money, and keep everything clean and organized, bartenders and servers need to know when to cut someone off. It’s all a part of your bartender safety training.

There are a few reasons for this. One is, of course, legal. The implications of not cutting someone off can be huge and even business-ending for a bar or restaurant. But there is another reason, too. No one in your establishment is going to want to be around someone who is overly drunk. Sure, have fun. Drink until you’re “happy,” but not being able to stand or manage yourself makes for an unfun party goer.

So how do you know when it’s time to end it and cut someone off? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Bloodshot eyes

The eyes are the window to the soul. When they are glazed over, tuned out, and/or bloodshot, all you can see is trouble. Make it a point to look into your patrons’ eyes. Make sure they can keep their eyes open and focus on you. If they can’t do that long enough to make their order, that’s a big red flag.

Slurred Speech

If you hear “GimmeanoderdrinkkkkKK,” it’s time to start serving water or soda. Slurred speech is a big indicator that your guest has had way too much to drink.

Poor Motor Skills

Falling, loss of balance, staggering, spilling drinks, knocking over things, and making a mess out of the line dances are all things each worker should be looking for. When you get to the point that you’re motor skills are impaired, you have reached your alcohol limit.

Aggressive Behavior

Of course if someone is trying to pick a fight, they need to go. But there could be more subtle aggressive behavior issues to look for as well. These include things like being rude to staff, yelling out in anger, being in someone’s face or grabbing at them, and overall being a drunk pain.

When you see these types of concerns, how do you then go about cutting off the guest from more alcohol? Here’s where diplomacy and tact come into play. Typically, the standard is for the bartender to start serving water, have the guest pay their tab, and call them an Uber or taxi cab. However, it’s doesn’t always happen so smoothly.

A few ways you can help the process along is to tell the customer when they are getting their last drink – “Here’s your last beer so make it a good one” followed by the check. Delivering the check is another signal that it’s time to close up. Perhaps you can switch them to food. Welcome them to come back the next day and be served again. Speak in a quiet but firm voice. Don’t draw attention from other patrons as that could be embarrassing. Be firm, but not aggressive in delivering your information.

Normally, your customers will appreciate bartender training and you looking out for them. Even if it means they don’t fully appreciate it until the next day. Good luck!

How to Stay Safe When Serving Alcohol

Tips for Serving Alcohol

Serve Food

Keep Track of Guests

Limit Bar Hours

Use Taxi Services, Uber, or Lyft

Use a Professional

Some of the licenses you can apply for through RLPS include Retail Food Store Wine License, Direct Shipper, Wholesaler, and Non-Resident Seller License.

So, what do you need to know about RLPS?

With your first renewal using RLPS, make sure you don’t start the renewal application until after TABC comes to inspect your place of business. This typically happens within 60 days of your renewal date.

Individual owner info, such as what used to be collected on TABC questionnaires and declarations of citizenship, need to be submitted in RLPS for both new apps and your first time renewing. Here you need to share acceptable forms of ID and failure to do so might mean you can’t get a license.

Since RLPS is brand new, you might need to enter more information than usual since your information is not yet in the system. But then it will be there for you in upcoming years.

Make sure your servers have the proper training they need as well. Contact us at Aim to Serve to find out what you need to do to run a compliant alcohol-related business.

Understanding the Alcohol history of Tennessee can help you understand today’s laws and regulations. Being the buckle of the Bible Belt, Tennessee has an interesting history with alcohol. It all started in 1838 when Tennessee was the very first state to pass a law of prohibition against alcohol. This law said that you could not sell alcohol, specifically hard liquor, in taverns or in stores as a result of a movement against the negative effects of drinking. The law was a misdemeanor, which wasn’t quite enough to stop the flow of alcohol through the state.

Jack Daniels Distillery

One of the most important landmarks in TN is the Jack Daniels Distillery located in Lynchburg. It was started in 1866 by Jaster “Jack” Newton Daniel. It is the oldest distillery in the US and receives thousands of tourists to the site each year. However, it’s a dry county there so don’t expect to get liquored up on the tour. You can, however, receive several samples at the distillery under the guise of “educational purposes.” This is important research, after all.

Just because nationwide prohibition ended in 1933, didn’t mean TN was going to immediately jump on the bandwagon. Changes to drinking laws have been slow, with some counties choosing to remain dry or refusing to serve certain drinks, like liquor.

Drinking Age

In 1984, along with several other states in the country, TN raised the drinking age to 21 from 19. This was because the country passed The National Drinking Age Act. States that didn’t comply would have 10% of their federal highway budget removed.

Now there is a Tennessee Whiskey Trail, just a year old in June of 2018, that includes 25 distilleries across the state. Here’s where you can learn the most about local TN whiskey and all of the history and culture surrounding it’s production.

Alcohol in Grocery Stores

It used to be more difficult to purchase alcohol in TN, but with recent changes in grocery store allowances, you can now buy win and beers up to 10% ABV. But, you can’t buy liquor when you are getting your chips, dip, and hamburgers, and you can’t buy high-gravity beers. And forget buying anything on Sunday mornings. You have to wait until noon, and then you can just buy beer. So if you have plans for a Sunday BBQ, be sure to stock up and prepare for the difficulties of buying alcohol in TN on Sundays.