Tennessee’s wine and alcohol laws can feel complicated, especially when different rules apply to grocery stores, liquor stores, and airport locations. The good news is that once you understand who is responsible for what, staying compliant becomes much easier.

This guide breaks down the industry differences, training requirements, and permitting rules in plain language.

 

 

Retail Food Stores

Grocery and Convenience Stores Selling Wine

In retail food stores, the Designated Manager plays a very specific legal role.

• This is the only person who can legally order wine for the location
• Wine orders cannot be placed by a corporate office
• Corporate staff may manage inventory, but the Designated Manager must place the order
• The Designated Manager is assigned to one location only
• They may not order or work as Designated Manager for multiple stores
• A Designated Manager does not have to be on-site at all times
• It is strongly recommended to have at least two Designated Managers per location to cover vacations or illness

Liquor Stores

Retail Package Stores

Liquor stores operate under a different structure than grocery and convenience stores.

• The Manager must be an owner or full-time employee
• Anyone may place orders with distributors
• The Manager is assigned to one location only
• The Manager does not have to be on-site at all times

Airport Retail Locations

Airport Designated Managers

Airport operations are unique and allow more flexibility.

• The Manager must be approved by the airport or its designee
  • Anyone may place orders with distributors
  • The Manager may oversee multiple retail outlets within the airport
  • The Manager does not have to be on-site at all times

Training Requirements

What All Managers Have in Common

No matter the industry, Tennessee requires managers to complete specific annual law training before applying for or maintaining a 5-year Manager Permit.

Designated Manager Law Course

This course focuses on what managers are legally responsible for.

It covers:
• Alcohol purchasing rules
• Pricing and minimum markup requirements
• Manager responsibilities under Tennessee law
• Rules and regulations managers must enforce

The course takes about one hour and:
• Must be completed before applying for a Manager Permit
• Must be completed every year to keep the permit valid

Responsible Vendor Certification

Managers must also complete Responsible Vendor training through a certified provider.

• Certification is valid for one year
• Must be completed before applying for a Manager Permit
• Must be renewed annually
• A valid certificate must be kept on the premises

TABC Manager Permit

The Manager Permit is issued by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Key points to know:
• The permit is valid for 5 years
• Applications are submitted through RLPS (Regulatory Licensing and Permitting System) at tn.gov/abc
• The permit fee is $50
• Many permits are handled by corporate offices, so check with your administrator
• The permit and Responsible Vendor certificate must be on-site for inspections

Important note:
Sole proprietors are not required to hold a Manager Permit.

The Big Picture

Tennessee places responsibility on management, not just employees. Knowing which rules apply to your type of operation and keeping training and permits current is the best way to avoid violations and protect your license.

If you ever feel unsure, the safest move is simple:
Train early. Renew annually. Keep documentation on-site.