Chapter 11 and Wage Claims – Part 1: The Bar Date Strategy—Creating Finality for Your Entire Workforce
Chapter 11 and Wage Claims, Part 1: The Bar Date Strategy—Creating Finality for Your Entire Workforce By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law For New York restaurant owners drowning in wage and hour claims, Chapter 11 bankruptcy offers something that out-of-court settlements rarely can: finality. I’ve seen restaurant owners pay six figures to […]
Protecting Your Personal Assets from Wage & Hour Liability
Protecting Your Personal Assets from Wage & Hour Liability By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Why Your LLC or Corporation Won’t Save You—And What Will If you own and operate a restaurant in New York, your LLC or corporation does not protect your personal assets from wage and hour claims. This is […]
How Chapter 11 Can Resolve Your Personal Guarantees and EIDL Loans
How Chapter 11 Can Resolve Your Personal Guarantees and EIDL Loans By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law A Practical Playbook for NYC Restaurant Owners Seeking Relief If you’re a restaurant owner in New York carrying COVID-era EIDL debt and personal guarantees that feel impossible to pay, I have good news: there are […]
Building a Bulletproof Entity Structure for Your Multi-Unit Restaurant Group
Building a Bulletproof Entity Structure for Your Multi-Unit Restaurant Group By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law A Practical Framework for NYC Restaurant Owners Growing a restaurant group in New York isn’t just about finding the next great location or perfecting your menu. It’s about building a legal foundation that protects what you’ve […]
Workout, Wind-Down, or Chapter 11: Choosing the Right Restructuring Path for New York Restaurants
Workout, Wind-Down, or Chapter 11: Choosing the Right Restructuring Path for New York Restaurants By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law When your restaurant is struggling, it’s natural to ask: “Do I really need to file bankruptcy?” The honest answer is – not always, but it’s often times either the best (and only) […]
The Restaurant Letter of Intent: Locking in Your Deal Terms Before the Lawyers Fight Over the Lease
The Restaurant Letter of Intent: Locking in Your Deal Terms Before the Lawyers Fight Over the Lease By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law The Letter of Intent (LOI) is where you set the business deal. The lease is where the lawyers argue over the details. If the LOI is vague or one-sided, […]
Before You Sign Anything: Site Selection, Zoning, and Building Issues for NYC Restaurants
Before You Sign Anything: Site Selection, Zoning, and Building Issues for NYC Restaurants By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law In New York City, picking the wrong space can kill a restaurant before the first plate leaves the pass. The rent might be “fair,” the block might be hot, and the landlord might […]
Who’s Really in Charge? Governance, Control, and Voting Rules for Restaurant Owners
Who’s Really in Charge? Governance, Control, and Voting Rules for Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Many restaurant disputes boil down to one question: “Who gets to decide?” Is it the chef? The money partner? The majority owner? The answer should be in your governance structure — not in the […]
The Restaurant Operating Agreement: 10 Clauses That Prevent Partner Disasters
The Restaurant Operating Agreement: 10 Clauses That Prevent Partner Disasters By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law An operating agreement (for an LLC) or shareholders’ agreement (for a corporation) is where you and your partners decide how the relationship really works. Without it, New York’s default rules step in — and those rules […]
How to Split the Pie: Equity, “Sweat” Ownership, and Investors in Restaurant Deals
How to Split the Pie: Equity, “Sweat” Ownership, and Investors in Restaurant Deals By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Restaurant deals almost always involve some mix of: A chef or operator contributing sweat and expertise, One or more money partners, and Maybe a landlord, advisor, or brand partner in the background. If […]