Food Services Employment Program
About the program
The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) helps people with visual disabilities get licensed to own and operate food service businesses. These include cafes, micro markets, vending machines, and coffee shops.
Benefits
If you qualify for the Business Enterprise Program, we can provide:
- Training to operate a business
- A license that allows you to bid on BEP business locations
- Food service equipment for your business
- Ongoing support and guidance for managing your business
Eligibility
You may be eligible for the program if you are:
- A legally blind U.S. citizen
- Participating in our vocational rehabilitation process
Helpful qualities and skills
The following qualities are not required, but will make you a good candidate for the program:
- A business mindset
- A desire for independence, self-reliance, and business ownership
- Experience with food service, managing people and money, leadership, and business ownership
How to apply
Ask your vocational rehabilitation counselor to refer you to the Business Enterprise Program. They can decide if the program is right for you and help you get started.
If you are not already participating in vocational rehabilitation, learn how to apply through our vocational rehabilitation process.
Contact us
For more information about the Business Enterprise Program and how to apply, contact us using one of the methods below:
- Call us at 800-552-7103
- Mail us at:
Department of Services for the Blind
P.O. Box 40933
Olympia, WA 98504-0933
Program resources
Find Business Enterprise Program resources for participants, facility managers, and companies.
Resources for participants
Resources for facility managers
Below are resources for federal, state, and local facility managers who work with us:
- Coming soon!
Resources for companies that work with us
Below are resources for vending companies that currently work with us or want to work with us:
- Coming soon!
Business Enterprise Program history
We provide the Business Enterprise Program through the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act. This law sponsors programs that recruit, train, and license blind people to own small businesses. Nationwide, these programs have licensed more than 1,900 vendors operating more than 2,200 facilities.
The law also requires us to work with a committee of blind vendors to manage this program. Visit our page about the Business Enterprise Program Vendors Committee for more information.
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The training program it took me to become a licensed vendor was very in-depth and informative. Without the training program, I don't believe I would have been able to succeed as a restaurant owner.