Hospitality clients face consistently evolving challenges and substantial risks in many aspects of their business. With a unique awareness of industry trends and forward-thinking ideas, our team partners with clients to provide counsel from a business perspective, utilizing a strategic approach to help protect our clients’ business and find success in this sector.

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin’s Hospitality Practice works closely with individual and corporate U.S. and international restaurateurs, chain restaurants, hotels, hospitality clients, licensors, and franchisors in all aspects of their businesses. Our team handles a plethora of legal matters on behalf of clients, including guiding international clients in establishing a presence in the United States, lease negotiations for restaurant chain expansions, construction and renovation projects, labor and employment compliance for franchisors, and through the capital raising process.

Serving as general outside counsel for many of our restaurant and hospitality clients, we strive to become an integral part of our clients’ teams. We learn business models, develop creative operational strategies, and negotiate favorable agreements in a cost-efficient, sophisticated, and effective manner to help meet their goals.

Leveraging our multidisciplinary platform, we advise hospitality clients on a wide range of matters including:

• Corporate matters, such as business organization, joint ventures, partnerships, and strategic alliances
• Concession and food and beverage supply and distribution agreements
• Construction
• Financing
• Franchising
• Government regulations and compliance, including compliance and disputes related to the Americans with Disabilities Act’s standards for accessible design (ADA)
• Immigration
• Incentive compensation plans (cash and equity)
• Intellectual property
• Internet and data privacy
• Labor and employment, including employee benefits and executive compensation, employment and non-compete agreements, and wage and hour issues
• Licensing and permits
• Litigation
• Management agreements
• Marketing, advertising, and promotions
• Real estate leasing, acquisitions, and development
• Tax

Our team also assists clients in obtaining liquor licenses in New York, which has become an increasingly difficult and time-consuming process. From distributors and manufacturers to restaurants and movie theaters, our team is well-versed in navigating the complexities of acquiring a liquor license for our clients. We represent clients before the New York State Liquor Authority and other local community boards in securing liquor licenses and permits throughout New York, including the five boroughs, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk Counties. Beyond acquisition, our attorneys guide our clients to comply with the liquor laws for the continued use of their license.