License Applicant’s Guide to Understanding Florida’s Three Tier System

This article is Part 1 of a three-part series addressing a common, thorny issue in Florida alcoholic beverage licensing: Who can have a financial or controlling interest in a beverage company? Part 1 focuses on the Three Tier System and how it is enforced through the licensing process. Part 2 focuses on identifying the Interested Parties of a beverage license applicant. Part 3 focuses on the qualities of a Related Party that can disqualify the applicant from getting a Florida alcoholic beverage license.

Florida’s Three Tier System

A key aspect of alcoholic beverage regulation in Florida is the Three Tier System. Following repeal of the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution and Alcoholic Beverage Prohibition, variations of the Three Tier System were adopted throughout the United States to regulate, control, and tax the alcoholic beverage industry. In particular, the Three Tier System was aimed at breaking up the control manufacturers and distributors historically exerted on independent vendors (called “tied houses”). In Florida, the Three Tier System separates alcoholic beverage businesses into three primary categories or “tiers”–Manufacturers, Distributors, and Vendors. Generally, Florida law prohibits a person or company from simultaneously engaging in more than one tier, unless a specific exception applies.

A direct violation of the Three Tier System is clearly prohibited in Florida. For example, a direct violation of the Three Tier System would exist where VendCo, LLC–which operates as an alcoholic beverage vendor in Florida–also manufacturers alcoholic beverages. In addition, the Florida Beverage Law also prohibits certain indirect violation.  For example, were an officer of VendCo, LLC engaged in manufacturing alcoholic beverages, this would be an indirect violation of the Three Tier System under the Florida Beverage law.

Impact on Alcoholic Beverage Licensing

The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (the “ABT”) principally enforces the state’s Three Tier System–against both direct and indirect violations–through the licensing of alcoholic beverage industry members. A business cannot be engaged in making, distributing or selling alcoholic beverages in Florida without the right ABT-issued license, and the ABT will not issue a license that allows a direct or indirect violation of the Three Tier System.

To protect against indirect violations of the Three Tier System, the Florida Beverage Law requires “Interested Parties”– companies and individuals having certain relationships with a license applicant–to also be identified on the license application. The ABT considers not only whether the applicant would be in direct violation of the Three Tier System, but also whether an indirect violation would exist involving any Interested Parties. In addition, the ABT determines whether officers, directors, and principal owners–called “Related Parties”–satisfy additional qualification standards before granting a license to an applicant.

Before applying for an alcoholic beverage license in Florida, each applicant must take great care to identify all of the Interested Parties of the applicant. How to identify the applicant’s Interested Parties is covered in Part 2 of this series: Identifying the Interested Parties of a Florida License Applicant. Once all of the Interested Parties are identified, the applicant must confirm that each Interested Party is qualified for purposes of beverage licensing. Lastly, additional qualifications for an applicant’s Related Parties are covered in Part 3 of this series: Qualification of Related Parties for Florida Alcoholic Beverage Licenses.

Do you have questions about Florida’s Three Tier System. We’d love to discuss it with you. Contact us at contact@brewerlong.com to schedule a consultation with a beverage attorney.

Because we’re attorneys: This blog post is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis as of the date of publication. We disclaim any duty to update or correct any information contained in this blog post, including errors, even if we are notified about them. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied with respect to the information contained in this blog post, including, but not limited to, warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title, non-infringement, accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. We will not be liable for damages of any kind arising from or in connection with your use of or reliance on this blog post, including, but not limited to, direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, and punitive damages. You agree to use this blog post at your own risk. Regarding your particular circumstances, we recommend that you consult your own legal counsel–hopefully BrewerLong.

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