The Washington permit guide is being checked
We only publish permit rules we have read on the official state and local pages, with the date we checked them. Washington is in that queue now.
Until it's up, call your local health department before you buy a cart. They can tell you who permits carts where you plan to sell, and what the cart has to have.
LLC or no LLC?
We're not lawyers or accountants, and this isn't legal or tax advice. It's a plain-English starting point taken from the SBA and IRS (read November 7, 2026). Rules differ by state and by your situation, so check Washington's own pages and talk to a licensed attorney or CPA before you decide. The SBA and its partners also offer free or low-cost counseling near you.
Getting started
Automatic. If you sell and don't register as anything else, you're a sole proprietor.
You register it with your state first.
If the business is sued or owes money
Your personal things (car, house, savings) can be on the line.
In most cases, your personal things are kept separate. The protection has limits.
Taxes
Profit goes on your personal return. You pay self-employment tax.
A one-owner LLC is taxed the same way by default. It can choose to be taxed as a corporation instead (IRS Form 8832).
Paperwork
The least.
More: a state filing, plus your state's rules to keep up with.
Owners
Just you.
One or more.
SBA says it can fit
Low-risk businesses, and owners testing an idea first.
Medium- or higher-risk businesses, and owners with personal assets to protect.
What "risk" can look like at a hot dog cart
These are examples of what can happen to any food cart, not predictions. The question is who pays if the business can't.
- A customer says your food made them sick, and sues.
- Someone trips over your cart, a cord or a propane hose at a festival.
- Grease, a grill or a propane flare-up burns someone, or damages a tent or a neighboring booth.
- A hired helper gets hurt on the job.
- The business can't pay a bill: a cart loan, commissary rent, a supplier invoice or an event fee.
If it turns into a claim or a debt the business can't cover
You're on the hook personally. The SBA says a sole proprietor "can be held personally liable for the debts and obligations of the business."
The LLC is. The SBA says an LLC protects your car, house and savings "in most instances", and that the protection "has limits".
An LLC isn't insurance
The SBA says business insurance "can fill in any gaps in coverage". Two of the kinds it lists fit a cart:
- General liability: bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses and defending lawsuits.
- Product liability: a product that causes injury.
The SBA also says some insurance can be required by law, especially once you have employees. Washington's state site lists what applies to you.
The SBA sorts it by risk. Think about where your cart fits, then check your state and ask a pro.
Where to buy supplies in Washington
30 walk-in stores in Washington where a cart owner can buy hot dogs, buns, napkins and paper goods in bulk, grouped by city. Each list was read from the chain's own store locator on the date shown. Hours and membership rules change, so call before you drive.
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 27 in WAWholesale food and restaurant supply stores, open to everyone; no membership needed (per chefstore.com). Formerly Cash&Carry Smart Foodservice.Official store list
- Gordon Food Service Store none in WAWalk-in foodservice stores, open to the public; no membership needed.Official store list
- Restaurant Depot 3 in WAWholesale cash-and-carry warehouses for food businesses. Membership is free for businesses; check their site for the documents they accept.Official store list
Bellevue
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 2208 136th Place NE, 98005 (425) 644-4638
Bellingham
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 405 Ohio Street, 98225 (360) 676-7360
Bothell
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 18438 120th Avenue NE, 98011 (425) 398-4170
Bremerton
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 5011 Auto Center Blvd, 98312 (360) 478-2000
Burlington
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 150 Sharon Ave, 98233 (360) 707-0109
Clarkston
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 820 Port Drive, 99403 (509) 295-8075
Everett
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 2917 Cedar Street, 98201 (425) 339-2628
Federal Way
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 1628 S 344th, 98003 (253) 925-0550
Fife
- Restaurant Depot 6130 12th Street E, 98424 (253) 922-4704
Kelso
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 2303 Talley Way, 98626 (360) 425-7090
Kent
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 21504 84th Ave, 98032 (253) 872-7586
Lynnwood
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 6412 204th St SW, 98036 (425) 672-1886
Olympia
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 1010 Fones Road, 98501 (360) 459-2820
Richland
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 1939 Fowler Street, 99352 (509) 374-3905
Seattle
- US Foods CHEF'STORE Ballard 1155 NW Ballard Way, 98107 (206) 789-7242
- US Foods CHEF'STORE Shoreline 13102 Stone Ave North, 98133 (206) 364-1733
- US Foods CHEF'STORE Sodo 1760 4th Ave South, 98134 (206) 343-7156
- US Foods CHEF'STORE Beacon Hill 1915 21st Avenue South, 98144 (206) 302-0215
- Restaurant Depot 3670 E Marginal Way South, 98134 (206) 381-1555
Spokane
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 7630 N Division Street, 99208 (509) 489-8800
Spokane Valley
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 211 South McKinnon, 99212 (509) 535-7710
Tacoma
- US Foods CHEF'STORE Tacoma South 111 S 112th Street, 98444 (253) 539-7104
- US Foods CHEF'STORE Tacoma Mall 6208 Tacoma Mall Blvd, 98409 (253) 472-6879
Tukwila
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 230 Andover Park East, 98188 (206) 246-6017
Tumwater
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 710 Trosper Road, 98512 (360) 339-5166
Union Gap
- US Foods CHEF'STORE Yakima 1406 E Mead Avenue, 98903 (509) 248-9390
Vancouver
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 10611 NE 53rd St, 98662 (360) 944-9199
Walla Walla
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 1002 W. Rose Street, 99362 (509) 676-5297
Wenatchee
- US Foods CHEF'STORE 200 Ferry St, 98801 (509) 662-6865
Woodinville
- Restaurant Depot 6219 238th Street SE, 98072 (425) 483-5600
Washington carts
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