Since 1944, Former TABC Professionals
The Largest Private Liquor License Agency in Texas
Gerald Franklin Agency handles TABC liquor licenses, permits, and surety bonds for businesses in every Texas county. Former TABC professionals run your paperwork in person, so you open on time.
Our Services
TABC Permits and Bonds We Handle
Explore the permits and bonds we prepare, file, and track for Texas businesses.
Mixed Beverage Permit
On premise spirits, wine, and beer for bars, restaurants, and hotels.
Package Store Permit
Retail distilled spirits in sealed containers for liquor stores.
Wine and Malt Beverage Permit
Wine and beer for on premise and off premise sales.
Off Premise Permit
Sealed wine and beer to go for stores, groceries, and gas stations.
Private Club Permit
Spirits service in dry areas through the private club model.
Event Permit
Temporary permits for festivals, galas, and sporting events.
Late Hours Certificate
Extend alcohol service to 2:00 AM every night.
Food and Beverage Certificate
Food first status that can exempt the conduct bond.
Federal Basic Permit
TTB permit for importers, wholesalers, and producers.
Special Occupational Tax Stamp
Local occupational licenses some Texas cities require.
Dram Shop Expert Witness
Expert testimony for Texas liquor liability cases.
TABC Surety Bonds
Conduct, performance, and tax bonds issued and filed in house.
The Inside Advantage
Our CEO Richard Wills and a Team of Former TABC Professionals
Our team is staffed by former TABC supervisors and employees. We know how the state reviews an application, what triggers a rejection, and how to move a file through the AIMS portal and the local courthouse without delay. That inside knowledge is the difference between opening on schedule and waiting months for a fix.
We do not just consult. We prepare your forms, secure your bonds, and hand carry your local certifications to the right desks. You get one team from the first question to final approval.
Meet the TeamLed by Richard Wills, Chief Executive Officer
"Under Richard Wills, Gerald Franklin Agency has grown into the largest private liquor licensing business in Texas, trusted by bars, restaurants, retailers, and hospitality groups statewide."
The inside advantage, on your side.
What We Do
Comprehensive Licensing, Permits, and Bonds Across Texas
Whatever your business needs to sell, serve, or store alcohol in Texas, we handle the full application and the supporting bonds.
Licenses and Permits
Surety Bonds
Costs and Timeline
What a Texas Liquor License Costs and How Long It Takes
State fees depend on the permit type. Local fees, usually about 50 percent of the state fee, plus a surety bond and public notice are additional. Here is how the state fees compare and how the timeline typically runs.
Texas state fee by permit type
State fee only, 2026. Local fees, bonds, and notices are additional. Figures from current GFA permit pages, confirm at consultation.
Source: Gerald Franklin Agency permit pages. State fees range from about 500 dollars to more than 5,300 dollars.
Typical approval timeline
A complete AIMS filing usually clears in 35 to 50 days. Local certification and the mandatory 60 day posting period can extend the total toward 90 days.
Filing complete the first time is the single biggest factor in avoiding added weeks.
Choose the Right Permit
Which Permit Fits Your Business
A quick comparison of the permits we are asked about most. We confirm the exact fit for your concept during your consultation.
| Permit | Code | Best for | State fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wine and Malt (BG) | BG | Beer and wine, bars, cafes, wine shops | $1,900 for two years |
| Package Store (P) | P | Liquor stores, off premise spirits | $1,800 for two years |
| Private Club (N) | N | Venues in dry or restricted areas | $2,401 and up |
| Mixed Beverage (MB) | MB | Full bars and restaurants serving spirits | $5,300 and up |
Fees are the state portion for 2026 and are subject to change. Local fees and a conduct surety bond, often 5,000 dollars, are additional.
How It Works
Navigating the Path to a Business Liquor License
The Gerald Franklin Agency process is fast, reliable, and thorough. Four clear steps take you from your first call to an approved license.
Consultation
We review your business, location, and goals, then tell you exactly which permit and bond you need.
Site and permit analysis
We check distance rules, zoning, and local requirements before you commit to a lease or purchase.
Filing and certification
We prepare your AIMS filing and hand carry the local city and county certifications for you.
Approval and renewal
We track your application to approval, then keep you current on renewals and compliance.
Do You Qualify
Basic Qualifications for a Texas Liquor License
Most business owners qualify. The TABC sets a short list of baseline requirements before you apply.
- You must be at least 21 years old.
- No felony conviction in the past five years.
- No state liquor law violation in the past two years.
- No violation involving moral turpitude in the last six months.
- Your location must clear local zoning and distance rules.
Near a school or church?
Texas generally restricts alcohol sales within 300 to 1,000 feet of schools and churches, and the exact distance and how it is measured vary by city. A Food and Beverage Certificate can create an exception in some cases. We run a site analysis before you sign a lease or buy a property, so a distance rule never becomes a surprise.
Supporting You at Every Step
One Team from the First Question to Final Approval
We handle the full licensing process in house, so you are never handed off or left to chase a government counter on your own.
Full application preparation
We complete every TABC form accurately the first time to prevent state or county rejections.
Local certifications in person
We visit the City Secretary and County Clerk, including the Houston Permitting Center at 1002 Washington Avenue.
Surety bonds in house
We quote and place your conduct surety bond and any other required bonds without an outside agent.
Renewals and compliance
We track deadlines and keep your permits and bonds current after approval.
Where We Work
Houston Based, Serving Businesses Across Texas
We are your partner for TABC permits in Houston and every Texas county. Explore our local pages.
GFA Testimonials
Trusted By Businesses Across Texas
"The Gerald Franklin Agency is the gold standard in the State of Texas for application, renewals and compliance in the ever changing licensing industry."
"Would highly recommend using Gerald Franklin Agency for liquor licenses and permits. Richard Wills is incredibly professional and I had a great experience working with him."
"Richard and the team certainly played a major role in facilitating our access to the market."
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to the questions Texas business owners ask us most.
How much does a Texas business liquor license cost?
The total has three parts. First, the state fee set by the TABC, which depends on your permit type. Second, a local fee, often about 50 percent of the state fee, charged by your city or county. Third, ancillary costs such as a conduct surety bond and the required public notice. We give you a full breakdown for your exact permit during your consultation.
How do I apply for a liquor license in Houston compared with the rest of Texas?
The TABC uses the AIMS portal for state filing everywhere in Texas. Local steps differ by jurisdiction. In Houston and Harris County you also need signatures and certifications from the City Secretary and the County Clerk. We manage both the digital filing and the physical local paperwork so nothing stalls.
What is the difference between a Malt Beverage permit and Beer and Wine?
In 2021 the TABC merged beer and ale into a single Malt Beverage category. The permits still cover the same products, but the legal terminology changed. We make sure your application uses current wording so it is not rejected at the state or county level.
Can I get a license if my business is near a school or church?
Texas generally restricts alcohol sales within 300 to 1,000 feet of schools and churches, and the exact distance and how it is measured vary by city. A Food and Beverage Certificate can create an exception in some cases. We run a site analysis before you sign a lease or buy a property.
What is a Texas Wholesaler license?
A wholesaler operates in the middle tier of the system, buying from manufacturers and selling to retailers. It is a heavily regulated category. We have long handled these complex applications for distributors across Texas.
Ready to Start Your Texas Liquor License Application?
Tell us about your business and location. We will tell you exactly which permit and bond you need and what it will cost. Speak with our licensing experts today.