As a restaurant owner in New York, you face complex financial and legal challenges that go beyond typical business risks. Along with operational responsibilities, you are personally exposed to employment-related claims,...more
9/5/2025
/ Asset Protection ,
Business Succession ,
Domestic Asset Protection Trust (DAPT) ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Litigation ,
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) ,
Estate Planning ,
Family Limited Partnerships ,
Holding Companies ,
Limited Liability Company (LLC) ,
New York ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Trusts ,
Wage and Hour
Partnership disputes are common in the restaurant industry, where high-stress environments, financial pressures, and differing business visions can create tension between partners. If not handled properly, these disputes can...more
9/2/2025
/ Arbitration ,
Business Disputes ,
Buyouts ,
Contract Disputes ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Dispute Resolution Clauses ,
Dissolution ,
Fiduciary Duty ,
Judicial Dissolution ,
Limited Liability Company (LLC) ,
Mediation ,
Operating Agreements ,
Partnership Agreements ,
Partnerships
Restrictive covenants are critical in restaurant ownership agreements to protect business interests, prevent unfair competition, and safeguard proprietary information. However, in New York, courts scrutinize these clauses to...more
9/2/2025
/ Business Ownership ,
Contract Terms ,
Enforceability ,
New York ,
Non-Compete Agreements ,
Non-Disclosure Agreement ,
Non-Disparagement Provisions ,
Non-Solicitation Agreements ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Restrictive Covenants ,
Trade Secrets ,
Unenforceable Contract Terms
Running a restaurant with business partners can be a rewarding venture, but partnerships don’t always go as planned. Disagreements, financial troubles, and breaches of fiduciary duty can create conflicts so severe that...more
8/18/2025
/ Business Divorce ,
Business Entities ,
Business Litigation ,
Commercial Litigation ,
Corporate Misconduct ,
Creditors ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Fiduciary Duty ,
Insolvency ,
Judicial Dissolution ,
Limited Liability Company (LLC) ,
Operating Agreements ,
Partnership Agreements ,
Partnerships
In the fast-paced and high-stakes world of restaurant ownership, conflicts among business partners can arise from financial disagreements, operational decisions, or differing visions for the restaurant’s future. When disputes...more
8/11/2025
/ Arbitration ,
Arbitration Agreements ,
Business Disputes ,
Business Litigation ,
Business Ownership ,
Contract Disputes ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Fiduciary Duty ,
Litigation Strategies ,
Mediation ,
Partnership Agreements ,
Partnerships
For restaurant owners, protecting business and personal assets from lawsuits, creditors, and financial risks is essential. One of the most effective legal strategies is using trusts to shield wealth and ensure long-term...more
8/1/2025
/ Asset Protection ,
Business Ownership ,
Business Succession ,
Creditors ,
Estate Planning ,
Irrevocable Trusts ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Revocable Trusts ,
Small Business ,
Succession Planning ,
Tax Planning ,
Trusts
For restaurant owners in New York, owning real estate can be a powerful asset—offering stability, long-term equity growth, and operational control. However, real estate ownership also exposes your business and personal wealth...more
Owning and operating a restaurant in New York comes with significant financial and legal responsibilities—especially when real estate is part of your investment portfolio. As a restaurant owner, you face unique risks that can...more
7/18/2025
/ Asset Protection ,
Business Entities ,
C-Corporation ,
Commercial General Liability Policies ,
Commercial Property Owners ,
Divorce ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Intellectual Property Protection ,
Limited Liability Company (LLC) ,
New York ,
Property Owners ,
Real Estate Investments ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Retirement Plan ,
S-Corporation ,
Trusts ,
Vendors
A well-drafted Operating Agreement is crucial for restaurant LLCs, setting clear rules for ownership, management, and dispute resolution. However, even the best agreements can become a source of conflict if not properly...more
7/9/2025
/ Best Practices ,
Breach of Contract ,
Business Disputes ,
Business Entities ,
Business Litigation ,
Contract Disputes ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Enforcement ,
Limited Liability Company (LLC) ,
New York ,
Operating Agreements ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Small Business
Running a restaurant comes with financial risks, including lawsuits, creditor claims, and unforeseen business downturns. Without proper asset protection strategies, restaurant owners may expose their personal wealth and...more
7/8/2025
/ Asset Protection ,
Business Entities ,
Business Litigation ,
Business Ownership ,
Creditors ,
Employment Litigation ,
Estate Planning ,
Insurance Industry ,
Limited Liability Company (LLC) ,
Risk Management ,
Small Business
Running a restaurant requires a delicate balance of creativity, management, and financial responsibility. When partners share ownership of a restaurant, each has a fiduciary duty to act in the business’s best financial...more
7/1/2025
/ Arbitration ,
Audits ,
Breach of Contract ,
Business Litigation ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Dissolution ,
Duty of Care ,
Fiduciary Duty ,
Financial Crimes ,
Fraud ,
Internal Investigations ,
Mediation ,
Mismanagement ,
Partnerships ,
Restaurant Industry ,
White Collar Crimes
Understanding the difference between service charges and tips is critical for New York restaurant owners to remain compliant with state and federal labor laws. Misclassifying these charges can lead to legal disputes,...more
6/20/2025
/ Compliance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Employee Rights ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Federal Labor Laws ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Labor Regulations ,
Minimum Wage ,
New York ,
NYDOL ,
Penalties ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Service Charges ,
State Labor Laws ,
Tips
Running a restaurant in New York involves managing a fast-paced, labor-intensive business—and keeping up with employment laws can be overwhelming. One of the most common legal pitfalls restaurant owners face is overtime...more
6/13/2025
/ Audits ,
Compliance ,
Employee Rights ,
Employee Training ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Policies ,
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ,
Misclassification ,
New York ,
Off-The-Clock ,
Penalties ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Timekeeping ,
Tipped Employees ,
Unpaid Overtime ,
Wage and Hour
In the hustle of running a restaurant, it’s easy for meal breaks to slip through the cracks. However, New York law has specific requirements for giving your employees time to eat and rest. Ensuring your staff takes legally...more
6/6/2025
/ Best Practices ,
Compliance ,
Employee Rights ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Policies ,
Exempt-Employees ,
New York ,
Non-Exempt Employees ,
Rest and Meal Break ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Salaried Employees ,
Tipped Employees ,
Wage and Hour
Long days and double shifts are common in the restaurant business. As a New York restaurant owner, it’s crucial to understand the “spread of hours” rule – a unique state requirement that can catch employers off guard. This...more
New York restaurant owners must navigate complex tip pooling and tip credit regulations to ensure compliance with federal and state labor laws. Failure to follow these rules can result in lawsuits, back wages, and penalties....more
5/27/2025
/ Compensation ,
Compliance ,
Employees ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Federal Labor Laws ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Minimum Wage ,
New York ,
Restaurant Industry ,
State Labor Laws ,
Tip Credit ,
Tip-Pooling ,
Tipped Employees ,
Wage and Hour ,
Written Notice
For restaurant owners, divorce brings a unique set of challenges—especially when it comes to financial obligations like alimony and child support. Unlike salaried employees with predictable income, restaurant owners often...more
Divorce is challenging for any business owner, but for restaurant owners, it presents unique complexities—especially when determining the value of the business. A restaurant’s worth isn’t just about profits; it also includes...more
For restaurant owners, divorce can pose unique challenges—especially when it comes to dividing business assets and profits. Unlike other marital assets, a restaurant is often a personal passion and a critical source of...more
Restaurant partnerships often thrive on mutual trust, shared goals, and a commitment to success. However, when one partner puts personal interests ahead of the business or violates that trust, it can lead to a breach of...more
Partnership conflicts can arise in any restaurant business, and in some cases, the only solution is expelling a partner. However, removing a business partner is a complex legal process that must be handled carefully to avoid...more
In the restaurant industry, partnerships often involve multiple owners, each contributing different levels of time, money, or expertise. However, not every owner holds an equal share of the business. Minority...more