Are Southern Steer businesses subject to zoning and land use regulations?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Certain aspects of the food industry are heavily regulated by both federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances that You will need to understand and comply with that are applicable to the operation of Southern Steer Businesses. These laws, regulations and ordinances include, but are not limited to, state and local licensing, zoning, land use, construction, environmental regulations, fire standards, health regulations, permits and licenses, food, Site and scale inspections, food handling card requirements, scale inspector permits, sanitation, food safety, smoking regulations, Federal Wage and Hour laws, employment regulations, Title II of the Civil Rights Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable approvals by municipal, county or state health departments that regulate food operations. Certain aspects of retail grocery and meat businesses are also regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The operation of Your Southern Steer Business may also be subject to state and local liquor licensing laws and regulations. The failure to receive or retain a liquor license or the delay in obtaining a retail liquor license in a particular location could adversely affect Your Southern Steer Business. You should consider the cost and time required to comply with these laws and regulations when evaluating Your purchase of a Southern Steer Business franchise. You should consult with Your attorney and other advisors to determine the laws that affect Your Southern Steer Business operations.
Source: Item 1 — ITEM. 1 THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 7–9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Southern Steer businesses are indeed subject to zoning and land use regulations. The FDD specifies that the food industry, which includes Southern Steer butcher shops and grocery stores, is governed by various federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances.
Specifically, these regulations encompass state and local licensing, zoning, land use, construction, environmental regulations, fire standards, and health regulations. Prospective Southern Steer franchisees must understand and comply with these regulations to operate their businesses. This includes obtaining necessary permits and licenses, adhering to food handling requirements, and ensuring compliance with sanitation and food safety standards.
Furthermore, Southern Steer franchisees must also comply with Federal Wage and Hour laws, employment regulations, Title II of the Civil Rights Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and applicable approvals by municipal, county, or state health departments that regulate food operations. The operation of a Southern Steer Business may also be subject to state and local liquor licensing laws and regulations. The FDD emphasizes that failure to obtain or retain a liquor license, or delays in obtaining one, could negatively impact the business.
The FDD advises potential Southern Steer franchisees to consider the costs and time associated with complying with these laws and regulations when evaluating the franchise opportunity. It also recommends consulting with an attorney and other advisors to fully understand the laws affecting their Southern Steer Business operations.