Ep #33: The ABCs of the Alcoholic Beverage Control with Jemma Jorel Lester

Restaurant Deal Making Exposed #33

Getting a liquor license can make or break a restaurant deal. The regulatory side of alcohol businesses is often the most challenging part for entrepreneurs, filled with complex bureaucracy, paperwork, and rules that most operators dread. Yet without proper navigation of the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) system, even the most promising restaurant transaction can stall for months or fall apart entirely.

In this episode, we're joined by Jemma Jorel Lester, a California hospitality licensing specialist who spent nearly a decade mastering ABC approvals before launching Proper Pour Company. Jemma shares her expertise on everything from timeline management to the five main reasons applications get denied, offering practical insights for both buyers and sellers navigating the transfer process.

You'll discover why hiring an ABC consultant before signing a lease can save months of delays, learn what red flags to watch for during transfers, and understand the critical differences between asset sales and stock sales when it comes to licensing. We also cover emerging challenges like ghost kitchens, food trucks, and shared street programs—all areas where the rules are constantly evolving and catching operators by surprise.

What You’ll Learn from this Episode:

• The five main reasons ABC applications get denied.

• What the typical timeline for a standard ABC license transfer is from submission.

• How to avoid common pitfalls like outdated ownership records and incorrect diagrams.

• The critical difference between transferring an existing license versus applying for a new one.

• Why food trucks and pop-ups face unique challenges with alcohol licensing.

• What sellers should audit on their license before listing to ensure smooth transfers.

• How to work effectively with district offices that each have their own processes and communication styles.

  
  

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