The City Council took decisive, if temporary action this past week to assist the restaurant industry during the current COVID-19 pandemic. As reported here on April 15, 2020, the Council was considering capping third party delivery fees at 10% of the order. The final bill that passed modified that proposal under pressure from Grubhub and others. Third party providers cannot charge more than 5% for orders placed, and up to an additional 15% as a delivery charge. While more than the initially proposed 10% cap, it is less than the 30-40% that has been charged. Penalties for violations are steep, up to $1,000 per day.

The Council also sought to provide relief for restaurants that cannot afford rent during the current closure period, which is pretty much everyone. If a commercial tenant is in default in rent between March 7, 2020, and a specified date after the closure orders are lifted, a landlord cannot enforce any personal lease or rent guaranty for arrears during that period. There are also a number or anti-harassment measures enacted. The rules on personal guaranties leave open questions, and are not a long term solution. They do however give restaurants some breathing space and can be used as an entry point to negotiate with a landlord. How effective these rules will be remains uncertain, and they are likely to be challenged in court. We will continue to monitor these and other developments.

Even before the coronavirus, third party online delivery platforms were the target of proposed regulation. Some delivery apps, such as DoorDash, Grubhub, Postmates and Uber Eats, take between 10% to as much as 40% of delivery orders. The New York State Liquor Authority last year began formulating proposed limits on those profits. That has not been finalized. And a bill was proposed in the New York City Council earlier this year to limit a delivery platform’s share to 10%, which is still pending. Since the virus outbreak, the City of San Francisco has restricted their revenue share to 10%, and there is pressure on Mayor de Blasio to do the same. Adding to the pressure, on April 13, 2020, three New York residents filed a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan (Davitashvili v. Grubhub, Inc.) against four of the largest online meal ordering platforms seeking injunctive relief and damages under federal antitrust laws. The suit alleges that the delivery apps, which have become part of everyday life, force restaurants to charge higher prices for meal delivery items because of the defendant’s massive fees. The agreement restaurants are required to sign with the delivery services controls pricing both for in house dining and delivery, making it impossible for restaurants to compete by providing their own delivery systems. This, the restaurants say, cuts into their already thin profit margins which are at about 2% to 6%, and decreasing. The numbers become even worse as more than half of consumer restaurant spending will be off premises ordering rather than on premises dining. The suit also claims that the delivery apps monopolize the market for delivery workers. With the government ordered shut down of in house dining last month, restaurants are relying almost exclusively on delivery to survive. The third party delivery fees and their anticompetitive effects render restaurant profits negligible, and, the suit claims, “have contributed to demise of American restaurant culture.”

During this very difficult and trying time, first and foremost we want to express our hope that everyone is safe and healthy, and taking precautions to stay that way.

We recognize that the unprecedented government-ordered shut down of restaurants and bars that became effective Monday night at 8 p.m. is devastating and disastrous to business owners and their many faithful employees.

Here is what we know that we can pass on.

The Governor’s closure order allows restaurants to remain open for take-out and delivery only. Legally, a restaurant or bar can serve beer to go, but not spirits or wine, however, the Governor said that the state would allow wine and alcohol to be temporarily delivered or taken out. We contacted the New York State Liquor Authority for confirmation and they are formulating specific rules on this. We were told that the regulation will require the out going beverage to be sealed, only one per customer, and it must be ordered together with food. As we get more specifics, we will pass them on.

If you will have no take out or delivery during the next ninety days and will close down completely, you do not have to place your liquor license in safekeeping. Just make sure you keep the certificate in a safe place, to go back on the wall when you re-open.

The New York State Liquor Authority also determined today that it will allow liquor wholesalers to exchange liquor inventory purchased by retailers between March 1, 2020 and March 17, 2020 for a credit at the actual price paid.

The Authority is suspending all hearings. This includes 500 foot rule hearings and disciplinary matters, as its staff is being curtailed. It is unclear what the Authority will do about holding full board meetings. The upshot of this is that there will likely be an increased delay in obtaining approvals. In our conversations with the Authority, however, they acknowledged that they would like to avoid any more of a slowdown than already exists. How they will do this remains unclear.

Beyond licensing issues, we know that restaurants and bars have greater problems in dealing with loss of revenue, and yet having continuing obligations, not the least of which is rent. The Real Estate Board of New York, in an announcement made today joined by about thirty of its members, which include some of the largest real estate companies in the city, said that they would not commence eviction proceedings for non-payment of rent against residential tenants during the next ninety days. Our hope is that they appreciate equally the plight of their commercial tenants and will allow for some breathing space.

There remains an open question as to whether force majeure provisions in leases may absolve a tenant of rent obligations, a difficult position on which we are not expressing an opinion. Restaurant owners should consider putting their landlords on written notice and opening a dialogue sooner rather than later to discuss possible rent concessions or abatements. Other lease obligations, such as continuous operation clauses and minimum operating hours requirements should also be reviewed.

We will continue to post updates as they develop. We are in regular contact with the State Liquor Authority, and also will be in touch with the New York Nightlife Mayor’s Office to see how the city may offer help in addition to the small business loans that the city began offering last week.

We understand that you are in survival mode. If there is any .way we can help, or if you have any specific questions, please reach out to any of us.

Alcohol and ice cream is not a new phenomenon in New York. Since 2018, Gilligan’s Ice Cream in Sherburne, New York, has been adding beer and hard cider to its ice cream, with flavors such as Fireball Whiskey. Tipsy Scoop opened at 270 Metropolitan Avenue in Brooklyn in September 2019. They boast of blending “the magic of an artisanal, hand crafted ice cream with the mastery of a perfectly mixed cocktail.” Flavors include Cake Batter Vodka Martini and Vanilla Bean Bourbon. Other establishments, such as Morgenstern’s on West Houston Street, UES on Second Avenue, Oddfellows on Water Street in DUMBO, and Bona Bona in Port Chester all are licensed to serve alcohol on their premises. The New York State Liquor Authority, since at least January 2019, has not considered a confectionary with 5% or less alcohol content an alcoholic beverage. There is a bill that unanimously just passed the New York State Senate (S7013) amending a number of statutes to make this state law. This would apply to sealed packages of ice cream, as well as ice cream products sold in restaurants or ice cream shops. The bill is awaiting action by the New York State Assembly.

Donald Bernstein, of Bernstein Redo, P.C., will be moderating a panel at the Bar Association of the City of New York on January 22, 2020 at 9 a.m. on “Opening a Restaurant in New York City; Legal Issues Bootcamp.”  This continuing legal education course, sponsored by the Hospitality Committee of the City Bar Association, will feature four speakers. Topics include corporate issues, drafting and negotiating a restaurant lease, labor and employment issues particular to restaurants, and a segment on retail liquor licenses which will be covered by Mr. Bernstein.  It is a four hour course offering four CLE credits to attorneys. Registration is through the City Bar Association.

Two significant changes in New York’s liquor laws have been proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in his 2020 State of the State message. The first relates to the tied house rule, a post-Prohibition law that prohibits anyone having any interest in a liquor manufacturer or wholesaler from having an interest in a retail liquor license. This rule is an absolute prohibition under current law, and even a de minimus interest is unlawful. Under the new proposal, the rule would only apply if the retailer is “wholly owned” by the manufacturer or wholesaler. This would not disqualify an investor from having a tied-house interest if the retailer is not wholly owned by the manufacturer or retailer. The second proposed change is to license motion picture theaters. Under current law, a movie theater can only serve alcoholic beverages if it meets the definition of a restaurant, that is serving full meals out of a kitchen in the charge of a chef.  The current proposal would impose some restrictions, but would remove the restaurant requirement. We will be tracking these proposals to see if they become law.

In July of last year this site included a post discussing the issue of third party providers, such as e-commerce and internet platforms that facilitate the purchase of alcoholic beverages at restaurants or package stores. The issue presented was whether such third party providers, or TPP’s, were considered trafficking in the sale of alcoholic beverages under New York law such that they would be required to obtain a license. Our July 2018 post noted a number of rulings made by the New York State Liquor Authority on the issue, which some commentators argued were inconsistent. On August 12, 2019, the SLA issued a draft Advisory #2019-x addressing this issue. The proposed Advisory would allow TPP’s to be paid a flat fee for its services, or to be paid 10% or less of the licensee’s profits, without requiring the TPP to be licensed. If a TPP is receiving more than 10% of the licensee’s profits, or exercised some level of control over the licensee’s business, then it would have to be licensed, or it would be considered illegally availing itself of someone else’s license. This proposed Advisory would apply to management companies, landlords, delivery services, website hosts, and some other third parties.  The SLA is inviting comments from the public and the industry before it finalizes this Advisory.

There are some hot issues and topics in the world of liquor licensing in New York. We featured one of those issues, licensing private members clubs which have become increasingly popular, in our May 24, 2018 post. Two other models that are emerging are shared workspaces and retail dry good stores. Traditionally, retail stores, including department stores, may have a restaurant or cafe tucked somewhere inside, but they typically do not sell or serve liquor outside of that defined and limited space.  There is a trend now to do away with that barrier and license the entire multi-level store. This would allow customers to roam the store with a glass of wine, or to have private events with food and beverages in any part of the store. This model can be seen for example in the new RH Gallery on Ninth Avenue in the Meatpacking District where the entire five story building is licensed, and in the new three story Neiman-Marcus in Hudson Yards.  On the other hand, there is opposition to Bloomingdale’s application to license its entire store at 504 Broadway in SoHo. The neighbors and local community board are pushing back, fearful that opening that door would then allow a host of other stores on Broadway, such as Urban Outfitters or Nike, to serve alcohol as well. Not long ago, the State Liquor Authority refused to license a two story venue that had a restaurant on the ground floor and spa in the cellar, determining that a spa is not a proper venue for a liquor license.

Another venue that does not traditionally have a food and beverage component, shared workspaces such as We Work, have also been looking to obtain liquor licenses as an amenity to its tenants. Some legal issues have so far stymied licensing some of those spaces, particularly those shared workspaces where separate offices are leased out to members. On the other hand, the Wing, shared workspace designed for women is licensed at their SoHo and Dumbo locations. Those locations, however, unlike the WeWork model, do not assign specific offices to tenants.  How the State Liquor Authority deals with licensing full retail stores and shared workspaces will be developing and we will be watching. Stay tuned.

The New York state legislature passed a bill last month that could have a significant effect on restaurant, bar and hotel owners.  The bill, if signed by the governor, would allow a business and personal lien to be placed on owners, managers and some investors of a business based solely on an allegation of a wage violation. The bill applies to claims of non-payment of wages under federal as well as New York law, including claims relating to improperly taken tip credits, withheld gratuities, overtime, uniform maintenance pay, and other categories. An employee making a covered claim can obtain a lien, similar to a mechanic’s lien that is filed by contractors, and can do so prior to proving his or her claim and even though the employee was paid in full. This new law has sweeping effects, and was opposed by the New York City Hospitality Alliance. The Hospitality Alliance encouraged restaurant, hotel and bar owners to contact their representatives in Albany to fight this legislation.  Though some amendments were made to the bill before it passed, it was nonetheless, according to the Hospitality Alliance, “a very unwelcome outcome.”  If signed by the governor, it will become law 30 days thereafter.

On May 17, 2019 the Hospitality Committee of the Bar Association of the City of New York will be sponsoring a continuing legal education class on opening a restaurant. The program will focus on corporate, leasing, liquor license and employment/labor issues. Bernstein Redo, P.C.’s Donald Bernstein will be one of the presenters, speaking on issues relating to restaurant leases. Topics will include use provisions, default and assignment provisions, lease contingencies including liquor license approvals, issues relating to noise, garbage and odors, good guy guaranties, and other important issues. A total of 4 CLE credits will be given for the program which begins at 9:00 am at the offices of the City Bar at 42 West 44th Street.