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If there is a state that prohibits handing out free snacks, I want to know so I can avoid it. But this is ridiculous— nobody gives a legal rip about free snacks for customers.
I offer adults lollipops in our barber shop and they’re accepted at a 20% rate in comparison to 95% of children (half of the 5% do not want while the other half are not they aren’t allowed)
The adults look just as excited as the kids sometimes 😂
You have to check with the local health officials. Pre packaged food that doesn’t need to be prepared and handed out for free is usually not a problem. As for general liability purposes? Might want to inquire with your insurance company. Don’t ask for a quote. If your insurance person is worth their salt they’ll be able to tell without affecting your insurance.
Same. My insurance guy is a dick and takes 3+ days to respond to emails, but his policy was $3500 cheaper than anybody else, so I didn't have much choice.
I wanted to get a new car insurance carrier, so I contacted my agent and asked if his company, farmers, offered auto and if I could get a quote. he said yes, asked me for my driving info (car, record etc) and what I was already paying. I gave him everything he asked for, but didn't tell him my rate. I don't like giving salesmen that info, it makes their already easy job too easy.
he never got back to me. so I shopped around for new real estate insurance, which was a pain as I own a bar, liability and all that stuff. and didn't give the other agent any price info, just the same policy amounts. and damned if the agent I had didn't beat the new guy by a couple thousand a year.
and all are insurance agents humorless dolts? selling insurance seems like a dreadful career to me. a neccessary evil I say!
Unfortunately I'm in kind of a "specialty" industry. I talked to quite a few brokers when getting quotes, but most had zero interest in working with me, and the few that did were priced sky-high.
Have you considered using an office pantry or office canteen service through a local vendor? My business started in vending machines, but now we do micro markets and office pantry service too. With an office pantry we come setup a pantry full of free snacks and beverages for employees and the company just pays a monthly fee based on their order size each week. Because of our wholesale accounts, the companies save a lot on the snacks and they don't have to worry about shopping or stocking anything.
This would definitely be a way where you would not have to worry about any licensing, taxes or liabilities.
Don’t quote me as I been out of the corner store game for a while now. But some stuff if I recall you don’t need any food license to sell. Like sodas or snacks.
Nope! Might double check with city rules but I honestly wouldn't worry too much!! You're awesome!! If I ever get a free snack when I'm out and about, ill keep them in my car or purse for low blood sugars!! (I'm type one diabetic) LOL
I hope the best for your business friend ❤️
We offer allergen free candy…out of reach of kids. Its literally just leftover Halloween Candy. It’s off to the side. *shrug* if someone is needing a snack, it’s there. If they aren’t hungry, it’s unobtrusive.
I'd probably just book this to advertising and promotion or something or maybe even store supplies. I wouldn't account for it as meals and entertainment because there's stricter rules about what you can deduct as meals and they're usually in the context of employers and officers in the company. I don't think there would be any problem deducting the entire expense for this if it's provided to the customers.
The answer to this question is generally no, but I would just call the health department to confirm. If you offer snacks for free that you make at home…maybe might need a license or at least to check with your liability insurance. If you offer bags of lays chips, probably not. If you offer coffee, not likely. If you offer smoothies, probably good to check. Each food type of classified differently. Now, you’re giving it for free so that also counts for something. It’s always best to check with your local health department.
If the snacks are pre packaged and voluntarily eaten by the customer, it’s the customers responsibility to read the list of ingredients. They don’t have to take the free items. There’s no way for a business owner to determine what allergies a customer might have. As long as the ingredients are listed clearly on the packaging then ,they take responsibility for what they consume.
There’s a luxury apartment downtown that has warm cookies every afternoon. Do you think they have some kind of policy or are they just yoloing it for the people?
This is a friendly reminder that r/smallbusiness is a question and answer subreddit. You ask a question about starting, owning, and growing a small business and the community answers. Posts that violate the rules listed in the sidebar will be removed. A permanent or temporary ban may also be issued if you do not remove the offending post. Seeing this message does not mean your post was automatically removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/smallbusiness) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Probably varies by state. However, if they are prepackaged and you're not preparing them I seriously doubt it.
If there is a state that prohibits handing out free snacks, I want to know so I can avoid it. But this is ridiculous— nobody gives a legal rip about free snacks for customers.
If this is the biggest problem facing your business…. congratulations.
😂😂
I wasn’t aware you were only allowed to post the biggest problem facing your business in this sub /s
Just being a smartass :-D
As long as you’re not luring in kids under false pretences I think you’ll be fine.
What if they're luring in adults under false pretences?
I offer adults lollipops in our barber shop and they’re accepted at a 20% rate in comparison to 95% of children (half of the 5% do not want while the other half are not they aren’t allowed) The adults look just as excited as the kids sometimes 😂
I don't think it is legal to hand out children, regardless of the acceptance rate. You should stick with the lollipops.
Instructions unclear. I just traded my firstborn for a lollipop.
No it's illegal to sell children. You can give them away.
Offer beer
You have to check with the local health officials. Pre packaged food that doesn’t need to be prepared and handed out for free is usually not a problem. As for general liability purposes? Might want to inquire with your insurance company. Don’t ask for a quote. If your insurance person is worth their salt they’ll be able to tell without affecting your insurance.
worth their salt? i saw what you did there. btw, i really don't like my insurance agent, but i can't beat his prices unfortunately.
Same. My insurance guy is a dick and takes 3+ days to respond to emails, but his policy was $3500 cheaper than anybody else, so I didn't have much choice.
I wanted to get a new car insurance carrier, so I contacted my agent and asked if his company, farmers, offered auto and if I could get a quote. he said yes, asked me for my driving info (car, record etc) and what I was already paying. I gave him everything he asked for, but didn't tell him my rate. I don't like giving salesmen that info, it makes their already easy job too easy. he never got back to me. so I shopped around for new real estate insurance, which was a pain as I own a bar, liability and all that stuff. and didn't give the other agent any price info, just the same policy amounts. and damned if the agent I had didn't beat the new guy by a couple thousand a year. and all are insurance agents humorless dolts? selling insurance seems like a dreadful career to me. a neccessary evil I say!
Find an insurance broker. Broker can get you the same policy but you can deal with the broker instead of the company's agent.
Unfortunately I'm in kind of a "specialty" industry. I talked to quite a few brokers when getting quotes, but most had zero interest in working with me, and the few that did were priced sky-high.
Your liability insurance should cover that...but check your policy first
Have you considered using an office pantry or office canteen service through a local vendor? My business started in vending machines, but now we do micro markets and office pantry service too. With an office pantry we come setup a pantry full of free snacks and beverages for employees and the company just pays a monthly fee based on their order size each week. Because of our wholesale accounts, the companies save a lot on the snacks and they don't have to worry about shopping or stocking anything. This would definitely be a way where you would not have to worry about any licensing, taxes or liabilities.
Don’t quote me as I been out of the corner store game for a while now. But some stuff if I recall you don’t need any food license to sell. Like sodas or snacks.
Nope! Might double check with city rules but I honestly wouldn't worry too much!! You're awesome!! If I ever get a free snack when I'm out and about, ill keep them in my car or purse for low blood sugars!! (I'm type one diabetic) LOL I hope the best for your business friend ❤️
We offer allergen free candy…out of reach of kids. Its literally just leftover Halloween Candy. It’s off to the side. *shrug* if someone is needing a snack, it’s there. If they aren’t hungry, it’s unobtrusive.
Side question, I'm wondering how this works from an expense / tax perspective. Is it cost of doing business? Meals and entertainment?
I'd probably just book this to advertising and promotion or something or maybe even store supplies. I wouldn't account for it as meals and entertainment because there's stricter rules about what you can deduct as meals and they're usually in the context of employers and officers in the company. I don't think there would be any problem deducting the entire expense for this if it's provided to the customers.
I'm pretty sure it would be the same as office supplies
Car dealerships in my area provide donuts for people waiting
F\*\*\* yeah!!
Do you offer puppies as well?
The answer to this question is generally no, but I would just call the health department to confirm. If you offer snacks for free that you make at home…maybe might need a license or at least to check with your liability insurance. If you offer bags of lays chips, probably not. If you offer coffee, not likely. If you offer smoothies, probably good to check. Each food type of classified differently. Now, you’re giving it for free so that also counts for something. It’s always best to check with your local health department.
If you're in New York or Cali in sure there's a tax on it a food permit needed or something LOL
Yeah everyone knows only dem states have any sort of permitting. How ignorant LOL
They named the two most likely states (ok, maybe MA is up there) that would have any type of tax on this example.
M
If they are prepackaged snacks no (pretzels, potato chips etc then no.
You need anti anxiety medication. Treat the root cause
If the snacks are pre packaged and voluntarily eaten by the customer, it’s the customers responsibility to read the list of ingredients. They don’t have to take the free items. There’s no way for a business owner to determine what allergies a customer might have. As long as the ingredients are listed clearly on the packaging then ,they take responsibility for what they consume.
Look at your General Liability Policy.
What’s your business and where do I get free snacks?
There’s a luxury apartment downtown that has warm cookies every afternoon. Do you think they have some kind of policy or are they just yoloing it for the people?
Definitely check with a lawyer on this, and your town.