Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC | Advertising Material


Alcohol & Hospitality

The restaurant, hotel and tourism industries face an array of unique challenges that can easily interrupt business plans. Stoll Keenon Ogden helps individuals and businesses in the hospitality and alcoholic beverage industries face those challenges by providing counsel through a range of services as diverse as the industries themselves.

Our team of multi-disciplined attorneys represents business owners, managers, developers, lenders, borrowers, retailers, suppliers, franchisors, franchisees, distributors, wholesalers and other vendors in a variety of issues involving the following: 

  • Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC laws)
  • Food and beverage regulations
  • Gaming
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Real estate
  • Environmental law
  • Trademarks and patents
  • Compliance and regulations
  • Contracts and negotiations
  • Labor and employment
  • Taxes
  • Employee benefits
  • Zoning

SKO also offers niche services to all three tiers of the alcohol industry: manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.  We also assist clients with licensing issues and provide representation at the federal (TTB), state and local levels.

Our mission is to work with our clients so that they can achieve their business goals as efficiently as possible and stay in compliance with regulations while also preparing for future challenges.

Work Highlights

Food Industry

Represented seller in the negotiation and documentation of a $10 million asset sale of the client's chain of quick-service restaurants.

Trademark Infringement

Staxx is Eat BBQ LLC, et al. v. Thomas Walters, Case No. 12-71-GFVT (E.D. Ky.) 
Represented Staxx BBQ, a central Kentucky restaurant, in a trademark infringement case against a former employee who alleged an ownership interest in the restaurant and trademarks. SKO obtained a preliminary injunction after a contested evidentiary hearing and the case settled.

Breach of Employee Covenant

SKO filed suit on behalf of a relocation and executive housing provider to enforce the covenants in an employment agreement and to recover damages. A competitor hired a former employee of our client and conspired with the employee to steal business from our client by misappropriating trade secrets and improperly utilizing confidential information.

Franchise Dispute, Lanham Act Violations & Personal Guarantees

This complex franchise dispute included claims that certain franchisees were in violation of their franchise agreements based on the management structure of the franchisees. The franchisor sought to terminate the franchises and recover monetary damages from the franchisees and personal guarantors. SKO successfully argued against the lawsuit taking place in the franchisor's home state. All claims, including claims against both the franchisee and the personal guarantors, were transferred to the home state of the franchisee and guarantors.

Trademark Registration

SKO prepares, files and prosecutes trademark applications for clients in a variety of industries including distilled spirits, manufacturing, healthcare, equine, restaurants, and nonprofit organizations.

Work Highlights

National Association of Alcoholic Beverage Licensing Attorneys (NAABLA)

National Association of Licensing Compliance Professionals (NALCP)

Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys (AHIA)