TABC Approved Guidelines for Selling Alcohol To-Go
COVID-19 has caused many industries to expand their services amidst shutdowns and social distancing. Facing a massive loss in business, many restaurants have resorted to curbside pickup and delivery for food and drinks.
Fortunately, with the help of the TABC, Gov. Abbott, and the Texas Restaurant Association, restaurants that sell alcohol can now maintain a healthy bottom line through deliveries and allowing alcohol at curbside pickup while COVID-19 mandates are in action.
Here are the top things you need to know about this temporary situation and your restaurant.
Is Your Restaurant Eligible for Curb-Side?
Even though regulations have lightened up during this trying time for business, restaurants must still be eligible for alcohol-related curbside pickups and deliveries.
The biggest eligibility requirement is that a restaurant must hold a Mixed Beverage Permit in order to offer “to-go” alcoholic options.
Your restaurant must also:
- Have been forced to end dine-in services at this time
- Have permanent capabilities to cook and serve food on your premises
What Are Texas’ Pick-Up and Delivery Guidelines?
If you are an eligible restaurant for this temporary change of regulations, some of the most important guidelines to remember include:
- Allowing alcohol pickup and delivery from age-appropriate customers aged 21 and up
- You may use a third-party to act on your behalf as an MB certified business while delivering
- Alcohol may only be delivered or picked up with a food order that was made at your restaurant
- You cannot sell anything that wasn’t previously sealed by the product manufacturer
Are There Delivery Limits?
Of course, since we are talking about alcohol, there are bound to be some strict delivery and pickup limits. For example, the size of the drink can’t exceed a 375-milliliter container. Other delivery restrictions are:
- Alcohol sale must be legal in the area of delivery
- Deliveries cannot exceed two miles beyond the location’s city limits
- Alcohol may not be delivered to an intoxicated customer
Stay Up-to-Date With TABC Guidelines Through TABC On The Fly
At TABC On The Fly, we know how important it is to stay on top of TABC regulations and guidelines. Before you officially open your doors to the public again, make sure your employees have their TABC certification. Our online course makes this a simple accomplishment while many are waiting at home for mandates to lift. Register online today to make the first moves back to normalcy.
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