Why Restaurant Owners Need Asset Protection Strategies
Why Restaurant Owners Need Asset Protection Strategies By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law 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 business investments to significant liabilities. Implementing legal safeguards can help protect […]
Enforcing Operating Agreements in Restaurant LLCs: Common Pitfalls and Solutions
Enforcing Operating Agreements in Restaurant LLCs: Common Pitfalls and Solutions By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law 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 enforced. Business owners must […]
Andreas Koutsoudakis in Chowhound: Policy Gets a Legal Pass
Andreas Koutsoudakis in Chowhound: Policy Gets a Legal Pass June 29, 2025 – Andreas Koutsoudakis, Co-Chair of the Hospitality & Restaurant Law Group at Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, was recently featured in Chowhound in the article, “The Georgia Restaurant With an Unusual Solution to Noisy Children.” Widely recognized in the industry and frequently sought […]
Fraud and Financial Misconduct in Restaurant Partnerships: Legal Recourse
Fraud and Financial Misconduct in Restaurant Partnerships: Legal Recourse By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Handling Financial Mismanagement Between Restaurant Owners Introduction: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 […]
Service Charges vs. Tips: Ensuring Legal Compliance in New York Restaurants
Service Charges vs. Tips: Ensuring Legal Compliance in New York Restaurants By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law 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, penalties, and claims […]
Overtime Compliance for New York Restaurant Owners: Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes
Overtime Compliance for New York Restaurant Owners: Avoiding Costly Legal Mistakes By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Introduction: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 compliance. Both federal […]
Meal and Rest Break Requirements for New York Restaurants: What Owners Need to Know
Meal and Rest Break Requirements for New York Restaurants: What Owners Need to Know By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Introduction: 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 […]
Understanding Spread of Hours Pay: Compliance Guide for New York Restaurant Owners
Understanding Spread of Hours Pay: Compliance Guide for New York Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Introduction: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 […]
Tip Pooling and Tip Credit Compliance: A Guide for New York Restaurant Owners
Tip Pooling and Tip Credit Compliance: A Guide for New York Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Tip Pooling and Tip Credit Compliance: A Guide for New York Restaurant Owners New York restaurant owners must navigate complex tip pooling and tip credit regulations to ensure compliance with federal and state […]
Navigating Alimony and Child Support Obligations for Restaurants Owners
Navigating Alimony and Child Support Obligations for Restaurant Owners By Andreas Koutsoudakis, Partner | Hospitality and Restaurant Law Introduction: 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 deal with fluctuating revenue, seasonal earnings, […]