Similarly, any time a restaurant changes ownership, the
new owner must apply and receive a new health permit. As
any change in restaurant ownership requires a new health
department permit, local health departments keep the most
accurate and comprehensive record of restaurant openings
and closings. Also in the health department records are data
on the location of the restaurant, nature of the ownership,
name and address of the owners, number of inspections conducted
at the restaurant, scores of all health inspections conducted,
and any fines levied for violation of the health code.
Nevertheless, there are no standardized data collection methods across health departments, and the quantity and
quality of information collected on restaurant ownership
may vary across health departments depending on available
resources and local laws.