JULY 2022
Don’t Drown In the Tip Pool: An Overview of the Massachusetts Tip Pooling Statute
Tip pooling is the practice of taking gratuities received from patrons and either pooling all or a part of the gratuities to be distributed to other employees. Failure to carefully implement a legal tip pooling policy can have disastrous results because all of your tipped employees have a claim if you fail to properly administer the tip pool.
Is the Minimalist Restaurant Menu Over?
Menus represent the changing values of the restaurant industry. And right now, more context is king.
RECOMMENDED READING
Shucked: Life on a New England Oyster Farm
By Erin Byers Murray
Equal parts memoir and documentary (and at times, cookbook), Shucked: Life on a New England Oyster Farm recounts Erin Byers Murray’s personal journey from lifestyle writer/editor and self-proclaimed city girl to farmhand at Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Along the way, readers are treated to a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to work on a New England oyster farm, a brief education on the life cycle of oysters from seedling to half-shell, and a glimpse behind the curtain at the personal relationships between food purveyors and the restauranteurs and chefs they supply.
RECOMMENDED VIEWING
The Bear - New Series Streaming on HULU
In the unlikely event you have yet to watch The Bear, we strongly recommend tuning in. The new FX series, currently streaming on Hulu, is an action-packed, fast-paced, detail-oriented dive into the back of the house. As Amy McCarthy (Eater) recently wrote, “[w]e’ve seen plenty of fancy chefs on the brink in films like Chef and Burnt, but few have taken on the challenge of showcasing the gritty, chaotic reality of life in a regular neighborhood restaurant that’s on the brink of financial collapse.” There is an authenticity to the characters and particularly to the lead, Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (played by actor Jeremy Allen White), who ventures home to run his deceased brother’s fledgling restaurant after collecting numerous accolades in some of the country’s most esteemed restaurants.
INSIDE RIW
RIW Sponsored Boston Magazine's Best of Boston Event
RIW's Hospitality Group was a sponsor of Boston Magazine's Best of Boston event, an exclusive event which brought together up to 1,500 Bostonians to enjoy music, delicious food, and one-of-a-kind experiences. The event was held at the Black Falcon Terminal in the Seaport and featured many of the city's best chefs and restaurants. Congratulations to all the Best of Boston winners!
RIW Hospitality Group Meeting at High Street Place
RIW's Hospitality Practice Group hosted its monthly meeting at High Street Place
in Boston’s Financial District to discuss several exciting upcoming events. The firm
handled alcoholic beverage licensing and management agreements on behalf of
High Street’s premiere cocktail bar Daiquiris and Daisies.
RIW Launches Franchise Practice Group
With the addition of nationally-recognized franchise attorney Ari Stern in May 2022, RIW expands its commitment to the firm’s Franchise Law Practice. The Franchise Law Practice consists of seasoned RIW professionals that offer key corporate, transactional, and dispute resolution services to franchisors, master franchisees, franchisees (multi-unit and single unit), and franchisee associations.
The Franchise Law Practice represents clients in a myriad of industries, including, but not limited to hospitality. Ari joins RIW attorney Eric Sigman to provide the services and leadership that will benefit both the Franchise team and its clients.
Small Business of the Year Awards - Boston Chamber of Commerce
RIW's Corporate Attorney Bethany Grazio was a judge in this year's Boston Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Awards.
CLIENT NEWS
Congrats to RIW client The Briar Group on the opening of their new restaurant,
The Beth. Attending the opening celebration from RIW were Howie Altholtz and
Congrats to RIW client Vendor Alliance on their Dunkin Donuts Franchise financing closing in Whiteville, NC.
Congrats to RIW client Vantage Builders, Inc. on completing a 6,000 square foot recreational cannabis dispensary for Zahara Cannabis in Attleboro.
Congrats to RIW client Estella on the grand opening of their Downtown Crossing location.
Congrats to RIW client The Oyster Bar on their recent opening in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
RIW's Howie Altholtz and Briar Group owner Austin O'Connor
“There is absolutely no substitute for the best. Good food cannot be made of inferior ingredients masked with high flavor. It is true thrift to use the best ingredients available and to waste nothing.”
- James Beard