PHILADELPHIA—Today, Cities Work announced a partnership with the city of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce and Mayor’s Office of Policy Planning and Delivery to increase access to entrepreneurship. Cities Work is the Institute for Justice’s nonpartisan regulatory consulting team which partners with cities—completely free of charge—to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start a small business. This partnership is the latest step in advancing Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s “PHL Open for Business” initiative.  

“We are excited to officially launch our partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Commerce and the Mayor’s Office of Policy Planning and Delivery focused on removing regulatory barriers that disproportionately harm entrepreneurs of modest means,” said Cities Work Director Jennifer McDonald. “You shouldn’t need a law degree and pot of gold to open a small business, and the policy changes this partnership will develop will help Philadelphia realize its goal of being open for business—for all entrepreneurs.” 

The partnership will initially focus on addressing regulatory barriers specific to food businesses, including: 

• Streamlining the city’s steps to get a food license; 

• Simplifying and consolidating the licensing processes for mobile, sidewalk, and temporary vendors; 

• Instituting standardized checklists for inspections; and 

• Repealing unnecessary and outdated licenses and permits. 

The city has already taken meaningful steps to clarify the regulatory process, most recently launching the improved Permit Navigator, working to propose policy changes that will increase opportunities for vendors and restaurants, and planning to roll out a series of additional regulatory reforms throughout the upcoming months.  

“The city of Philadelphia is committed to reducing regulatory burdens, speeding up approval timelines, and streamlining permits and licensing for entrepreneurs in Philadelphia,” said Karen Fegely, Deputy Commerce Director, City of Philadelphia. “We are excited to receive the support of Cities Work to help advance Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s PHL Open for Business initiative. Through partnerships across city government, our goal of enhancing the ease of doing business and access to economic opportunity for all is even more tangible.” 

Cities Work also published a flow chart detailing the range of questions aspiring restaurateurs must consider when determining the requirements they must fulfill to comply with city regulations to open their restaurant.  

“While obtaining one permit or license might not seem like a significant barrier, the flow chart shows how navigating the regulatory process in its entirety can be complex and daunting,” said Cities Work Policy Coordinator Ava Mouton-Johnston. “Entrepreneurs across the country face regulatory mazes like Philadelphia’s–we applaud the City for taking accountability and actions to ensure this flow chart soon becomes out-of-date.”  

Cities Work’s efforts in Philadelphia have been funded, in part, by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Cities Work is an initiative of IJ, which partners with city leaders across the country to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start businesses by identifying and rectifying regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship. IJ is a national public interest law firm that advocates for entrepreneurs throughout the country.