California's alcohol license quota system (1935–present)
After Prohibition, California capped on-sale general licenses by county population. The cap left restaurants competing for scarce slots, with waits stretching years and licenses reselling at market rates.
New restaurants often bought existing licenses at a premium or waited years for a quota opening.
The state later created separate 'eating place' license categories so food-serving businesses could get licenses outside the population quota.
Explains what a Type 85 license is and why securing one matters for Sip Snack's ability to serve alcohol.
