Liquor Licensing, Franchising and Restaurant Law

We have significant experience in all aspects of liquor license issues including the acquisition of liquor licenses for restaurant facilities, taverns, hotels, beer distributors, and importing distributors — as well as the appraisal and valuation of liquor licenses. In addition, we represent various public venues and performing arts facilities, and assist those clients in obtaining appropriate liquor licensing from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board as opposed to acquiring such licenses on the open market.

Our team of attorneys is truly unique due to the fact that we coordinate other major practice areas into our liquor license transactions. As a result, our vast experience in and knowledge of real estate development and zoning, corporate and business law, financing, tax law, labor and employment law, and litigation uniquely qualifies Tallman Hudders & Sorrentino to represent restaurant, hotel, and stadium developers as well as the ever-changing malt beverage rights business.

We have also been involved with various litigation associated with businesses which own a liquor license, including:

• Citation defense
• DRAM shop liability actions
• Labor and employment litigation
• Workers’ compensation
• Importing/distributing rights
• Zoning appeals
• Licensing hearings
• Non-renewal cases
• Protests
• Intermunicipal transfer hearings.

We handle clients who sit on the other side of the table in these matters — banks and commercial lending institutions. Tallman Hudders & Sorrentino has experience both in securing their rights in a liquor license and reclamation of a liquor license from a defaulting borrower in order to preserve the collateral.

Franchising is another related area where we have been able to assist clients. We're well-versed in the development of franchise and financing relationships for restaurant, hotel and tavern transactions particularly in assisting clients/borrowers/banks with United States Small Business Administration loan transactions.