Hospitality Industry/Franchise Litigation

Steve Skarnulis owned and managed restaurants and nightclubs long before he went to law school. He knows the hospitality industry well, having worked in small and large companies in a variety of capacities. The firm currently represents several restaurant companies, and counsels them in a number of matters. Some recent cases the firm has handled:

• The firm has advised and defended restaurants on Federal Fair Labor Standards Act claims for alleged improper pooling of tips.
• The firm has counseled startup restaurants entering the Austin market, dealing with business organization, permitting, zoning issues, and licensing.
• The firm has litigated a number of cases in the industry, including:
  • Defending claims for violation of franchise agreements and tortious interference with contractual rights in extended litigation conducted in four courts in Atlanta, Georgia and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
  • Prosecuting claims regarding software problems with hospitality management systems.