Restaurant Trends Social 2025

Restaurant Trends Social 2025 Thumbnail

On May 19th RIW celebrated its 31st annual Restaurant Trends with a cocktail party at SPIN Boston! As the firm’s signature springtime event, Restaurant Trends has taken many forms over the past 30+ years; its presentation has evolved, the format has shifted, and the look and feel have changed with the times. But one thing…

Read More

POSTED IN: Hospitality Practice Group, News

The Industry: March 2025

The Industry: March 2025 Thumbnail

Hot off the press: the latest issue of The Industry is here! Our Restaurant & Hospitality Group has put together another value-packed edition, covering key legal insights and trends to help you navigate the hospitality industry. In this issue, we’re diving into: Franchise Leasing: Whether you’re a franchisor, franchisee, or landlord, Eric Sigman outlines what…

Read More

POSTED IN: Hospitality Practice Group, News, The Industry

Restaurant Finance & Liquor Licenses: Securing a Pledge of License as Collateral for a Loan

Restaurant Finance & Liquor Licenses: Securing a Pledge of License as Collateral for a Loan Thumbnail

In recent years, high interest rates, inflation, and changing consumer trends have resulted in a tightening of financing options available for restaurants. Lenders often require various forms of collateral for restaurant financing, particularly in assets that hold strong market value and can be resold in case of a borrower default. One increasingly popular solution for restaurateurs…

Read More

POSTED IN: Alcoholic Beverage Licensing, Articles & Quotes, Hospitality Practice Group

RIW Client Tavern in the Square Acquired by Authentic Restaurant Brands

RIW Client Tavern in the Square Acquired by Authentic Restaurant Brands Thumbnail

RIW client Tavern in the Square was recently acquired by Authentic Restaurant Brands, a platform of leading regional restaurant brands. Tavern in the Square is a beloved New England mainstay, and this deal marks the next exciting step in its over twenty-year history. Corporate Department attorneys Bethany Grazio, Gary Bubb, David Musen, and Colby Trace…

Read More

POSTED IN: Corporate & Business, Hospitality Practice Group, News

Adam Barnosky to Judge the MRAEF ProStart Invitational

Adam Barnosky to Judge the MRAEF ProStart Invitational Thumbnail

Chair of RIW’s Restaurant & Hospitality Group, Adam Barnosky, will be a judge at the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s 2025 Massachusetts ProStart Student Invitational later this month. Each year, the MRAEF hosts the ProStart Invitational, which allows schools to compete in culinary and/or management competitions. The judging panel is comprised of industry experts who…

Read More

POSTED IN: Hospitality Practice Group, News

RIW Client Rachel Miller Named 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist in Best Chef: Northeast Category

RIW Client Rachel Miller Named 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalist in Best Chef: Northeast Category Thumbnail

Congratulations to our client Rachel Miller, chef and owner of Nightshade Noodle Bar in Lynn, MA, for being named a 2025 James Beard Awards Semifinalist in the Best Chef: Northeast category. This is Rachel’s second consecutive year recognized in this category and the third year in a row that the James Beard Awards have nominated…

Read More

POSTED IN: Hospitality Practice Group, News

The Industry: 2024 Year in Review

The Industry: 2024 Year in Review Thumbnail

RIW’s Year in Review issue of The Industry is now live! Click here for client highlights and updates from our Restaurant & Hospitality Group, including awards, event recaps, and the most-read articles of 2024.

Read More

POSTED IN: Hospitality Practice Group, News, The Industry

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing: Key Trends and Regulatory Shifts

Navigating the Evolving Landscape of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing: Key Trends and Regulatory Shifts Thumbnail

National operators face continuing challenges with alcoholic beverage licensing and compliance, predominantly due to the inherent complexity of adhering to a diverse array of liquor control regulations across the United States. Each state, and often municipalities within them, have their own rules for obtaining and maintaining licenses, covering everything from hours of sale to employee…

Read More

POSTED IN: Alcoholic Beverage Licensing, Hospitality Practice Group, News

The Industry: October 2024

The Industry: October 2024 Thumbnail

The October issue of RIW’s Hospitality Practice Group newsletter, The Industry, is live! This quarter, we explore some of the latest trends and insights shaping the hospitality landscape, including: Adam Barnosky and Michael Cronin tackle key updates and commonly asked questions about Boston’s new liquor license bill and approval process. Thinking about selling your business?…

Read More

POSTED IN: Hospitality Practice Group, News, The Industry

Client Alert: What Applicants Should Know About Boston’s New Liquor License Approval Process

Client Alert: What Applicants Should Know About Boston’s New Liquor License Approval Process Thumbnail

In response to the recent passage of the Liquor License Expansion Bill, the City of Boston quickly established new application procedures in recent weeks and conducted outreach through a series of presentations by Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Licensing Board, the Office of Economic Opportunity, and the Boston City Council.  While much of the local…

Read More

POSTED IN: Alcoholic Beverage Licensing, Hospitality Practice Group, News