The Federal Tax Deductions for Tips and Overtime Pay: Opportunities for Restaurants Employers
New York State Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act Cracks Down on a "Leech Industry"
The Briefing by the IP Law Blog: Chipotle and Sweetgreen Settle Food Fight Over CHIPOTLE Trademark
Shining a Light on Greek Cuisine with Chef Doug Psaltis
Podcast: The Briefing by the IP Law Blog - Cookie Co’s Motion to Dismiss Trademark Lawsuit by Restaurant Crumbles
The Briefing by the IP Law Blog: Cookie Co’s Motion to Dismiss Trademark Lawsuit by Restaurant Crumbles
FLSA and Wage and Hour Issues for Restaurants
Restaurant Rebound: How Employers Can Build and Keep Top-Notch Service Teams
Reporting Cash Tips to the IRS [More with McGlinchey, Ep. 24]
From More Delivery, Takeout and Outdoor Dining Options to Financial Relief – How Restaurants Have Managed Throughout the Pandemic
Strategies for Restaurant Owners to Survive in the New Normal
RCG Webinar | Where's the Beef?
II-30- Tackling 3 Big Wage and Hour Questions for Employers
Stealth Lawyer: Mark Russ Federman, Appetizing Shop Owner
During Washington’s 2025 legislative session, the state legislature passed House Bill 1515 (2025–26), which aims to expand alcohol service through December 31, 2027 by allowing local jurisdictions to authorize alcohol service...more
Proposed changes to Virginia’s food-to-beverage ratio requirements once again failed to advance in the General Assembly this year. Currently, restaurants with a mixed beverage license are required to make 45% of their sales...more
Navigating Pennsylvania’s strict PLCB liquor licensing rules can be challenging, especially when it comes to interlocking business prohibitions. Whether you’re applying for a restaurant liquor license or negotiating a lease...more
The Learned Concierge - Welcome to your monthly legal insights on the trends impacting the Retail, Hospitality, and Food & Beverage Industries....more
On July 17, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill No. 688 into law, now known as Act 86 of 2024. This legislation introduces a major change to the state’s liquor laws by permitting the sale of...more
For any Pennsylvania establishment serving alcohol, Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) certification is a vital compliance requirement. Whether you manage a restaurant, bar, or any other venue selling alcohol,...more
The Virginia General Assembly concluded its 2024 legislative session in March which included changes to Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) law and some changes to tobacco, vaping and electronic cigarette regulation. These...more
On July 15, 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro signed legislation that amends Pennsylvania’s liquor code, specifically the duration of happy hours and the discounting of alcoholic beverages. These changes to the liquor code...more
Recently enacted House Bill 1335 (HB 1335) makes significant administrative changes to the process for obtaining, and maintaining, alcohol and tobacco licenses in Florida....more
One of the most popular incentives for service industry employees is the “Shift Drink” – a drink on the house to unwind after a work day. On the surface, the Shift Drink is a relatively low-cost and readily available perk...more
Faircloth arose from a November 2014 motor vehicle accident involving a 20-year-old driver who was served alcohol at Potbelly’s bar and an 18-year-old pedestrian who was served alcohol at Cantina 101. The guardianship for the...more
Welcome to your monthly legal insights on the trends impacting the Retail, Hospitality, and Food & Beverage Industries. Labor and Employment - Final Rule: Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor...more
Throughout my career as a hospitality and liquor license lawyer, I have been on the front lines of many successes and challenges in the industry. From inception of the business through succession, I have learned from...more
Virginia’s Alcohol Beverage Control (“ABC”) Act provides that an entity seeking to ship wine to Virginia consumers must have a license to do so, and each license must “designate the place where the business of the licensee...more
Looking for a lottery ticket that could win you a highly coveted and valuable liquor license? If so, and you have $100 to spare, then you too can apply for the state’s “quota” liquor license lottery....more
Last week the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) released information regarding its 12th auction of expired restaurant licenses. This auction is expected to have a significant impact on the culinary landscape across...more
Until recently, Florida restaurants needed to maintain 2,500 square feet of service area and be able to serve meals to 150 persons at one time (i.e., 150 or more patron seats on the premises) to hold a non-quota full-service...more
Last call for alcohol to go is 11:59 PM June 30, 2023. Cocktails to go expires in Tennessee on July 1, 2023. There are special rules for beer....more
Updated April 26, 2023 to add the new ABC Law Omnibus Bill, HB 870. The North Carolina General Assembly is considering several alcohol bills this session which, if enacted, would modernize North Carolina ABC laws. The...more
In a previous blog post, we had advised that extensions for outdoor dining and sale of alcoholic beverages to-go were set to expire on April 1, 2023. On March 23, 2023, however, the Legislature passed House Bill 3458,...more
The economic squeeze of COVID-19 led to the passage of a Massachusetts law granting establishments with liquor licenses temporary powers to sell mixed drinks to-go, under certain conditions. Those temporary powers were...more
During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Massachusetts lawmakers temporarily authorized on-premises consumption licensees to expand their outdoor dining premises and offer to-go and delivery sales of alcoholic...more
Here's an oft-repeated question: can I "brown bag" — bring my own wine — in a restaurant, hotel or bar that holds a liquor license in Tennessee? Surprise, surprise — yes, you can. In an unusual twist of Tennessee liquor...more
Restaurant, hospitality and grocery insiders call it The Wall. You know, the place where you have to publicly display your liquor license and other stuff the State of Tennessee issues. We hear it all too often from...more
Generations of restauranteurs and hoteliers were told they cannot give away liquor. Since liquor by the drink was originally adopted in Tennessee in the late 1960s, it was illegal to give away wine or spirits at any...more