Beverage Industry

The Law Office of Richard A. Lefchak represents beverage industry clients in transactions of all sizes including the sale and purchase of businesses, distribution rights, franchise rights, licenses and real estate. The firm routinely handles industry consolidation matters, including purchase and sale transactions, for businesses both large and small. The firm represents litigants in termination of distribution or franchise rights matters. The firm is well versed in distributor and supplier relations, as well as franchise protections and similar laws.

Liquor Control and Alcohol Beverage Control Laws

The firm has years of experience with the rules, regulations, policies and business practices that govern the distribution, marketing and sale of alcohol beverages under state and federal Liquor Control and Alcohol Beverage Control laws. Support staff likewise has years of experience assisting the firm with beverage industry matters, having established professional relationships with agents working within the various regulatory agencies. In summary, the firm services include:

• State and federal liquor licensing, permitting, registrations and compliance
• Liquor license transfers, sales, purchases, renewals, extensions, etc.
• Drafting and negotiation of distribution/franchise agreements for alcohol and non-alcohol beverages
• Franchise and contract disputes
• Creating, perfecting, and executing security interests in liquor licenses
• Beverage industry consolidation ranging from buyouts of individual distribution rights to entire company mergers and acquisitions

Who We Serve

The firm provides legal counseling, and administrative and litigation services, to all three tiers of the alcohol beverage industry, including brewers, importers, distributors, restaurants, golf courses, hotels, convention centers, concessionaires and other licensees. These services include licensing, sale, purchase, consolidation, distribution, and franchise matters. Clients are guided by the firm through the maze of regulations and numerous obstacles presented by a regulatory system that is a product of Prohibition. Early involvement by the firm can help the client address issues with regulators and lessen the risk of complications and unnecessary delays on the backend. The firm also assists creditors and their counsel in the enforcement of rights in licenses and in resurrecting neglected licenses.