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The NYC Business Express Service Team (BEST) serves as a single point of contact between city agencies and small businesses operating in the five boroughs to help:
- streamline interactions with city agencies
- navigate permit and licensing processes
- connect you to government resources
- educate you on city rules and regulations
| | NYC BEST Bootcamp is Coming in January | |
This winter we are hosting another series of virtual sessions in collaboration with enforcement agencies (Buildings, Health, Parks, and more) and utility companies.
These sessions provide industry-specific guidance on business operations and the inspection process.
Be sure to check out our newest sessions: Waste Management and New York State Resources!
| | | NYC BEST engaged in comprehensive training sessions led by the NYC Fire Department (FDNY) on October 8 and 9 to ensure compliance with the latest safety regulations impacting local businesses. The training covered key commercial systems, specifically focusing on commercial cooking systems, carbon dioxide beverage systems, and dry cleaning safety protocols. | NYC BEST training includes both classroom instruction and hands-on field observation, such as the FDNY Rangehood Acceptance Test. | | |
NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
Effective date: November 15, 2025
Proposed Amendments to Food Service Establishment (FSE) Inspection
The amendments to Food Service Establishment (“FSE”) Inspection Procedures, located in Chapter 23, are as follows:
Reduced Oxygen Packaged (ROP) Food Rule Updates
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Definition: ROP is food packaged to remove or replace oxygen for extended freshness.
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Usage: ROP foods must be made and eaten at the same FSE location.
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Off-Premises: They can only be consumed off-site if the preparation and consumption sites are part of the exact same, wholly owned business entity.
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Sales Ban: FSEs cannot sell or distribute ROP foods to any other businesses or directly to consumers for off-site eating.
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Violation: Selling FSE-produced ROP foods directly to consumers (in-store, online, or via delivery) is a critical violation.
| New High-Sugar Warning Menu Requirements and Violations | | | Requirement | Violation | Penalty | | High-Sugar Warning (Local Law 150 of 2023) | Missing warning icon | $200 | |
| Icon not compliant with design specs | $200 | |
| Missing warning statement | $200 | | Food Allergens & Intolerances | Missing statement or information | $100 | |
| Notice not translated into common language | $100 | |
| No method for patrons to indicate allergies and/or missing per-item info | $100 | | Inspection Lookup Tool Hyperlink | FSE fails to conspicuously post hyperlink | $100 | |
| Internet/delivery service fails to conspicuously post hyperlink | (Penalty included) | | |
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Public Health Law: Penalties are added for violating Public Health Law § 1356, which requires allergy notices on menus and in prep areas for restaurants, catering halls, and online ordering services.
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Make certain technical changes to Appendix 23-C
| NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) | |
Enclosed Sidewalk Cafe Application
Applications for new enclosed sidewalk cafes are not allowed under the Dining Out NYC program.
Licensed participants in the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s (DCWP) Sidewalk Cafe Program may be eligible to continue operating an enclosed sidewalk cafe.
Existing DCWP-licensed enclosed sidewalk cafes in operation on March 16, 2020, or the four years prior, may continue to operate, but must apply for a sidewalk cafe license and revocable consent from NYC DOT by January 31, 2026. Failure to apply will result in enforcement action unless the enclosure and dining setup are removed by the establishment.
Highlights:
- No new enclosed sidewalk cafes permitted.
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Existing DCWP-licensed enclosed sidewalk cafes must apply by January 31, 2026.
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List of food service establishments with eligible enclosed sidewalk cafes.
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New York State Secure Choice | |
New York Secure Choice is a new retirement savings program for private-sector employees who do not have access to a retirement plan at work. Through automatic enrollment and payroll deduction, you can help your employees save in their own Roth IRAs. Getting started is fast and easy and is free for employers to facilitate.
If you're an employer who must facilitate the program, New York Secure Choice will notify you when it's time to register.
You must register and facilitate the program if you:
- have 10 or more employees
- do not offer a qualified retirement plan
- have been in business for at least two years
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The NYC Business Express Service Team is celebrating its three-year anniversary, its commitment to helping small businesses navigate city regulations, and the team’s selection to receive the Excellence in Customer Service Award.
Our 2025 Achievements
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This year, we have served more than 3,500 businesses including helping with 100 business opens.
- Our team regularly undergoes training to ensure we provide accurate guidance on regulations from multiple New York City agencies, including the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), Fire (FDNY), and others.
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Through our "NYC BEST In Your Community" initiative, we hosted 23 events and connected with 313 businesses across all five boroughs to help businesses prevent fines and fees while supporting responsible growth. We addressed inquiries, provided business owners with updates on new and existing regulations, and offered guidance on managing permits, licenses, and compliance.
- Our NYC BEST Bootcamp fall session had more than 100 total attendees, making this our most successful fall session.
Happy Holidays from NYC BEST! We wish you a happy holiday season and are proud to service small businesses across all five boroughs!
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Find out how the NYC Business Express Service Team can save your business time and money:
📞 888-SBS-4NYC [888-727-4692] and ask for NYC BEST
📧 nycbest@sbs.nyc.gov
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Week in Review
November 29 - December 5
The NYC Week In Review videos are available weekly on the Mayor's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!
Sign up to "Hear From Eric" and get direct messages from City Hall, tailored to your interests and neighborhood, sent directly to you – at nyc.gov/hearfromeric!
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