As a Pennsylvania hospitality business owner, staying compliant with evolving laws is critical to your success in 2025. From wage and hour laws for tipped employees to the Corporate Transparency Act and bankruptcy...more
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s bidding thresholds will increase by 2.4% in 2025, compared to the 12-month period ending September 30, 2024....more
Navigating Pennsylvania’s strict PLCB liquor licensing rules can be challenging, especially when it comes to interlocking business prohibitions. Whether you’re applying for a restaurant liquor license or negotiating a lease...more
1/3/2025
/ Beer ,
Commercial Leases ,
Compliance ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Distilleries ,
Distributors ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Liquor Licences ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Wine & Alcohol ,
Wineries
On July 17, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill No. 688 into law, now known as Act 86 of 2024. This legislation introduces a major change to the state’s liquor laws by permitting the sale of...more
9/24/2024
/ Certification Requirements ,
Distributors ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Hotels ,
Importers ,
Liquor ,
Liquor Control Boards ,
Liquor Licences ,
New Legislation ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Wine & Alcohol
For any Pennsylvania establishment serving alcohol, Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) certification is a vital compliance requirement. Whether you manage a restaurant, bar, or any other venue selling alcohol,...more
Selling alcohol to minors is a serious offense that can jeopardize your business. Whether it’s take-out beer, wine, or drinks served on-site, the risks are ever-present. Under 47 Pa. Stat. § 4-493(1), it’s crystal clear...more
On July 15, 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro signed legislation that amends Pennsylvania’s liquor code, specifically the duration of happy hours and the discounting of alcoholic beverages. These changes to the liquor code...more
In response to a class action suit by homeless people challenging several anti-camping ordinances in the city of Grant Pass, OR, the U.S. Supreme Court explored the contours of the Eighth Amendment (“8A”) of the U.S....more
In HUF Rest., Inc. v. Commonwealth, No. 394, 2024 Pa. Commw. LEXIS 105, at *1 (Pa. Commw. Ct. Apr. 24, 2024) the Commonwealth Court ruled that a buyer’s failure to obtain a bulk sale certificate made it liable for the...more
On December 14, 2023, Governor Shapiro signed House Bill No. 1096 into law, now known as Act 49 of 2023 (Act 49), which allows certain hotel licensees to apply to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to convert to...more
An Off-Premises Catering Permit (“Catering Permit”) empowers Restaurant, Hotel, and Eating Place licensees to sell alcohol outside their regular licensed premises. It enables the provision of food paired with alcoholic...more
Throughout my career as a hospitality and liquor license lawyer, I have been on the front lines of many successes and challenges in the industry. From inception of the business through succession, I have learned from...more
Last week the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s (PLCB) released information regarding its 12th auction of expired restaurant licenses. This auction is expected to have a significant impact on the culinary landscape across...more
On June 13, 2023, the House of Representatives passed HB 255 (124-79), a groundbreaking bill introduced by Rep. Robert E. Merski (D-Erie Co). This bill aims to fund local municipal code enforcement efforts and establish a...more
Exciting news for restaurant owners in Pennsylvania with R-licenses! There is a proposed change to Pennsylvania’s Liquor Code that could increase your opportunity to sell alcohol outside your licensed premises. ...more
The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) is inviting public feedback on a proposed rule that aims to levy a special assessment on all banks with FDIC-insured deposits. Set to go into effect on January 1, 2024, the...more
5/23/2023
/ Assessment ,
Banking Crisis ,
Banks ,
Comment Period ,
Deposit Insurance ,
Depository Institutions ,
FDIC ,
Proposed Rules ,
Public Comment ,
Silicon Valley ,
Special Assessments
If you’re thinking about starting a distillery in Pennsylvania, you’ll need to know about the limited distillery license. This license allows you to manufacture and sell up to 100,000 gallons of liquor per year....more
In Weis Mkts., Inc. v. Lancaster Twp., 248 A.3d 622 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2021), Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court decided that a municipality’s discretion to deny an intermunicipal liquor license transfer application is not unlimited...more
Proposed changes to Pennsylvania’s Liquor Code would allow for more flexibility in the use of cash registers, making it easier and more convenient for customers to check out both groceries and beer/wine in one transaction....more
Get ready for a game-changer in tip reporting compliance! The Treasury Department and IRS have just announced the proposed launch of the Service Industry Tip Compliance Agreement (SITCA) program.
SITCA is a voluntary...more
Running a bar or restaurant in Pennsylvania requires having a valid liquor license. This license enables you to serve alcohol to your customers, thereby improving their dining experience and increasing your revenue. However,...more
In Allegheny County, tax appeal season has begun for 2023. Every year, County property owners have the opportunity to file an assessment appeal. But this year there are unique opportunities for an assessment reduction....more
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s municipal authority and municipality bidding thresholds will increase 8.2% in 2023, compared to the 12-month period ending September 30, 2022.
The Department published...more
Pennsylvania’s 2008 Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act, 68 P.S. §§ 1101 et seq. (the “Conservatorship Act”) is an anti-blight tool for restoring neglected properties to productive use and consequently...more
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry’s bidding thresholds for a municipal authority and municipality will increase a little over 2% in 2022.
The Department published its bidding thresholds for 2022 under Act...more