| Restaurants operate in a fickle consumer environment, with ever-changing regulatory responsibilities, numerous operating challenges and, typically, relatively thin margins. They get great value from working with a law firm that has the experience and scope to help with every part of their business. Our fully dedicated restaurant industry team shares your passion for the business and is committed to helping you succeed.
We are deeply connected to the industry through our clients and key industry associations. We represent companies across the industry, including corporate and franchised restaurant chains, large franchisee groups, celebrity chefs and high-end restaurateurs. We have strong relationships with regulators, having worked with them for years.
We provide a unified, one-stop solution for our clients’ complete operational, transactional, regulatory and intellectual property needs. In addition to the legal support and business insight we provide, we have strong relationships with people involved in finance and every other segment of the industry and can help connect our clients with other people who can help their businesses.
Our focus on the industry and commitment to learning our clients’ businesses give us deep knowledge of our clients’ key issues and great familiarity with the types of transactions they conduct. As a result, we can respond quickly, work efficiently, anticipate and help our clients avoid situations before they become problems, and manage risk. We can also quickly grasp the nuances of particular situations and provide insightful counsel that is tailored to the client’s particular competitive situation and business goals. |
Selected Experience Restaurants Unlimited Ongoing Serve as general counsel to top Pacific Northwest-based restaurant group. Blue Moon Diner 2007 Represented defendant in a wage and hour matter claiming tip pooling violated wage and hour statutes. Most of the claims dismissed on summary judgment. Settled the rest of the claims on favorable terms. Apple American Group LLC 2005 Recapitalization of Apple American Group LLC, the largest Applebee's franchisee with 190 restaurants in nine states, and investment by private equity firm. Azteca Restaurant Enterprises, Inc. 1999 Obtained summary judgment of liability and permanent injunction for plaintiff in trademark infringement action. Doug Wilson Represented "Trading Spaces" star in connection with purchase of hotel and restaurant. * Denotes experience completed at a prior firm | |