Tennessee Grocery Store Startup Research

Research the key regulations and required registrations to open a small grocery store in Tennessee. Assume a typical neighborhood grocery selling packaged foods and beverages.

Also note clearly what changes if the store adds any of these:
- deli / prepared foods / hot food
- alcohol sales (beer/wine)
- tobacco/vape
- SNAP/EBT acceptance
- selling items by weight (scales)

DELIVERABLES (must include all):
1) 1–2 page checklist of steps + which agency handles each step (state vs local vs federal).
2) A table that separates:
- State requirements
- County/City requirements (generic—explain how to find the correct local office)
- Federal items (only if applicable, e.g., SNAP/EBT)
3) At least 8 primary-source citations (official government sources, statutes/rules, agency pages).
4) Assumptions + “depends on” notes (what you need from me to finalize accurate guidance).

ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA (how I’ll evaluate):
- Correct agencies and sequencing (what comes first / what triggers inspection)
- Primary sources used (not blogs as the main support)
- Clear, structured, and practical for a real business owner
- Flags risks/unknowns instead of guessing
Bonus: includes an estimated timeline and common failure points