We have written here before about important things to consider when purchasing a restaurant, and we have also written about exclusivity provisions in restaurant leases. A recent deal we were working on, however, has highlighted how those two topics work together – and demonstrated a hidden danger for restaurant purchasers that can be hidden in […]
Read more...Category: Bar and Restaurant Law
In Restaurant Sales, its You and Me and the Landlord Makes Three
When involved in a restaurant transaction, the parties (understandably) spend much time and effort on examining the health of the business and the terms of the deal itself. The buyer will, among other things, study the restaurant’s revenues and operating expenses, any potential liabilities, and the condition of the equipment involved. On the other side, […]
Read more...The Morris Law Firm’s Founder Featured in the Washington Lawyer’s Issue on Restaurant Law
Demonstrating the critical importance and growing complexity of the legal issues surrounding restaurants, the Washington Lawyer dedicated its September 2016 issue to the intersection of the restaurant business and the law. The cover story was entitled Behind the Kitchen Door and featured interviews with local restaurateurs, including celebrity chef Mike Isabella, and our founder, Sean Morris. […]
Read more...Hooters Waves White Flag: Will Voluntarily Close Rather than Face Revocation
There are some battles that are just not worth fighting, apparently. For the Rockville, Maryland Hooters restaurant that was charged with overserving the drunk driver who killed Montgomery County police officer Noah Leotta late last year, that would include the battle to save their liquor license. The restaurant faced a show cause hearing before the […]
Read more...The Four Relationships that Can Make or Break Your Restaurant Business
The restaurant business, like almost all businesses, is about relationships. And, of course, the most important one you will have is with your customers. If you don’t preserve that relationship, you won’t have a business for very long. But there are other relationships that must be protected just as jealously, because if any of them […]
Read more...Client Alert: Minimum Wage Increases in Maryland and DC
This post is to remind all clients or interested business people reading this that, effective this past Friday, July 1, 2016, the hourly minimum wage in Maryland and the District of Columbia has increased as follows: Maryland: Statewide. The minimum wage for regular hourly employees is now $8.75 per hour. It had been $8.25 and […]
Read more...Don’t Even Think About Buying a Restaurant Without Answering These Four Questions.
For generations, owning and operating a restaurant has been a common dream for would-be entrepreneurs. Unlike many other businesses, most of us think we understand how restaurants operate (we all eat at restaurants, don’t we?), and there is a certain charm and allure to the idea of welcoming our friends and neighbors to a place […]
Read more...Three Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting your Business
Let’s get one thing out of the way: when you are starting a business you are going to make mistakes — a million of them. That’s okay. It’s how we learn and grow, and it also keeps things interesting. But what’s not okay is when we make mistakes that are easily avoidable, and which can […]
Read more...What are Your Options? Negotiable or “Market Rate” Lease Renewal Provisions
In a changing real estate market, especially one with rising commercial property values and rental rates, whether you have a renewal option in your commercial lease and the terms of any such option can be critical. It is highly preferable to have an option provision that specifies the rate of any renewal, e.g. some set […]
Read more...How a Glitch in Local Liquor License Laws is Hurting Fast Casual Restaurants
I’ve written here before about how one of the distinguishing and appealing elements of fast casual restaurants is that, unlike more traditional “fast food” outlets, they often serve alcohol. Most often, however, these restaurants do not have a full bar and only want to serve beer and wine. That more limited offering can make things […]
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