Built for Consumer-Facing Businesses
Retail and hospitality companies rarely face isolated legal issues.
Decisions around expansion, staffing, branding and operations are interconnected. Our approach reflects that reality by bringing together attorneys across corporate, real estate, employment, litigation and intellectual property to deliver coordinated guidance.
Who we Work With
- Retail brands and consumer product companies
- Restaurant groups and multi-unit operators
- Hospitality operators and hotel owners
- Franchise systems and franchisees
- Food and beverage companies
- Developers and property owners
- Investors in consumer-facing businesses
Supporting Growth at Every Stage
- Concept and Launch
- Business formation and structuring
- Trademark and brand protection
- Licensing and regulatory approvals
- Expansion and Development
- Multi-location lease and real estate strategy
- Franchise development
- Capital investment and financing
- Operations
- Workforce compliance and employment strategy
- Vendor and supply agreements
- Regulatory and licensing support
- Strategic Transactions
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Private equity investment
- Corporate restructuring
Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality
Core Areas of Focus
Corporate and Business Transactions: We advise on structuring, operating and scaling retail and hospitality businesses, including partnerships, investments and acquisitions.
Real Estate and Development: We support location strategy and transactions that drive growth, including lease negotiation, acquisitions, development and portfolio management.
Labor and Employment: We help businesses manage workforce risk, compliance and disputes across high-volume and multi-state operations.
Intellectual Property and Brand Protection: We assist with protecting and enforcing brand assets, managing online risk and supporting marketing and promotional efforts.
Regulatory and Licensing: We guide businesses through regulatory requirements that impact operations, including licensing, health and safety and consumer compliance.
Litigation and Disputes: We represent clients in disputes affecting operations, growth and brand, including lease, employment, franchise and commercial matters.
Where Risk Commonly Arises
Retail and hospitality businesses often encounter risk in day-to-day operations, including:
- Expansion without aligned lease or workforce strategy
- Wage and hour exposure across multiple locations
- Brand misuse or inconsistent enforcement
- Vendor and supply chain disputes
- Online reviews and consumer complaints
- Franchise system misalignment
Addressing these issues early helps avoid disruption as businesses scale.
Industry Insight
Consumer-facing businesses are navigating shifts that continue to reshape the landscape:
- Integration of eCommerce and physical retail
- Increased visibility through online reviews and platforms
- Workforce shortages and evolving wage requirements
- Franchise growth and regulatory scrutiny
- Brand protection in digital marketplaces
- Supply chain disruption and vendor risk
We help clients anticipate these developments and respond in a structured and practical way.
Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality
Evaluating expansion or operational risk?
We can help you identify practical next steps.
Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality
WHy KJK?
KJK provides business-focused legal guidance grounded in how retail and hospitality companies operate.
We work alongside clients to support growth, manage operational risk and address issues as they arise, not after they escalate.
Learn More through our KJK Insights
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Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality
ATTORNEYS
Jon J. Pinney
Managing Partner
Chris M. Macke
Partner
Michael A. Schlonsky
Partner
Kyle D. Stroup
Partner
J. David Campbell, Jr.
Partner In Charge Columbus
Contact
CLEVELAND OFFICE
1375 East Ninth Street
One Cleveland Center, 29th Floor
Cleveland, OH 44114-1793
COLUMBUS OFFICE
10 West Broad Street
One Columbus Center, Suite 2500
Columbus, OH 43215