On the Menu In Detroit: A Heapin’ Helpin’ of Red Tape

On the Menu In Detroit: A Heapin’ Helpin’ of Red Tape  - Genevieve O'Gara
"Detroit ranks among the hardest places to start a restaurant, in a recent survey of 20 cities conducted by the Institute for Justice. 

The Motor City is near the top in almost every category of regulatory obstacles for new dining establishments.
“Entrepreneurs in Detroit face serious regulatory hurdles,” says the February report “Barriers to Business,” which was written by Andrew Meleta and Alex Montgomery. 

The challenges are acute for
aspiring restaurant owners, who must 

• pay 15 separate fees, 
• get clearance from nine city agencies, 
• submit to twelve in-person visits, 
• fill out 20 different forms, and
•  perform a total of 77 steps to comply with various regulations..."