I run a small catering business and I'm getting ready to formalize as an LLC. I've been looking at LegalZoom and ZenBusiness because I don't want to pay a lawyer. Does anyone have experience with either for a food business? I'm mainly concerned about the registered agent service and whether they handle the initial paperwork correctly. Any advice would be appreciated.
LLC Formation
I run a catering business and want to compare LegalZoom with ZenBusiness
i used ZenBusiness for my LLC last year. The filing was straightforward, and their registered agent service has been fine. I can't speak to LegalZoom, but I've heard their pricing can creep up with add-ons.
Do either of them handle the food-specific permits? That's the part I'd be worried about.
I've used LegalZoom for two businesses, including a small cafe. They got the LLC filing done, but I had to stay on top of them for the operating agreement. Took a couple of extra calls. For the price, it was acceptable, but don't expect hand-holding. I'd check if they have a registered agent option that fits your budget. Also, their customer service can be slow during tax season.
Thanks. What about the registered agent? ZenBusiness seems to include it for the first year. LegalZoom charges extra?
Right, ZenBusiness includes registered agent for the first year in most packages, then it renews at a fee. LegalZoom's basic package doesn't include it, I think. I ended up going with a separate registered agent service to keep costs down long term.
In my county, you can be your own registered agent if you have a physical address. Might be worth checking if you want to save money. But then your address is public.
One thing I forgot: if you plan to hire employees eventually, neither service is great for payroll setup. You'll need separate software. But for the LLC formation itself, they're both fine. Just read the fine print on the renewals.
I compared both last month. ZenBusiness had a clearer dashboard, but LegalZoom had more educational resources. I ended up going with ZenBusiness because the annual report filing is included in their hIgher tier.
That helps. I think I'll go with ZenBusiness for the first year and see how it goes. Thanks everyone.
One more thing: if you're in a state that requires a publication notice for LLCs, neither service handles that automatically. You have to do it yourself. Just a heads up.
Also, check if your catering business neds a food handler's license before forming the LLC. Some states require it before you can even register. Might affect your timeline.