We've all noticed how long it can take for a new business to open in our neighborhood. Sometimes it seems like it takes forever for a business to open while the owners struggle to obtain the many permits from the many agencies required by the city before a business can be opened. City government has finally responded by establishing the New Business Acceleration Team (NBAT) to assist with opening new restaurants, bars, bakeries, and butcher shops.
NBAT streamlines the permitting process so that businesses only need to work with one city agency. The agency helps them through the permitting hurdles that lead to time and cost overruns. NBAT has cut the process from an average of three to four months down to just two weeks.
NBAT works with qualifying businesses to schedule and coordinate most of the inspections required by the Fire Department, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Buildings, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and other departments.
Since the program began, NBAT has helped more than 140 restaurants open in the five boroughs. Approximately 3,200 new restaurants open every year in New York City. Restaurants employ over 260,000 people.
Businesses that are best suited for working with NBAT are restaurants, bars, and bakeries that seat fifty people or fewer as well as butcher shops. The bars must serve food. Renovation of the space shouldn't include heavy alteration work.
If a business qualifies for the program, an introductory meeting will be scheduled--preferably at the future business's site--to review permit and license requirements. After the work has been completed and the requirements have been satisfied, the business owner can contact NBAT to request an inspection, which will be conducted within a week. If the business passes inspection, it will be ready to open. If it doesn't pass inspection, NBAT will notify the business owner immediately about which issues have to be corrected, and a re-inspection date will be assigned.
NBAT streamlines the permitting process so that businesses only need to work with one city agency. The agency helps them through the permitting hurdles that lead to time and cost overruns. NBAT has cut the process from an average of three to four months down to just two weeks.
NBAT works with qualifying businesses to schedule and coordinate most of the inspections required by the Fire Department, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Buildings, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and other departments.
Since the program began, NBAT has helped more than 140 restaurants open in the five boroughs. Approximately 3,200 new restaurants open every year in New York City. Restaurants employ over 260,000 people.
Businesses that are best suited for working with NBAT are restaurants, bars, and bakeries that seat fifty people or fewer as well as butcher shops. The bars must serve food. Renovation of the space shouldn't include heavy alteration work.
If a business qualifies for the program, an introductory meeting will be scheduled--preferably at the future business's site--to review permit and license requirements. After the work has been completed and the requirements have been satisfied, the business owner can contact NBAT to request an inspection, which will be conducted within a week. If the business passes inspection, it will be ready to open. If it doesn't pass inspection, NBAT will notify the business owner immediately about which issues have to be corrected, and a re-inspection date will be assigned.
E-mail: nbat@nbat.nyc.gov
Phone: (212) 788-6722
Fax: (212) 788-6834
1 Centre Street, Room 1012N, New York, NY 10007