- Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Restaurants & Entertainment
Serving Up Smart Legal Solutions
Helping You Navigate the Business of Hospitality
Running a restaurant, venue, or entertainment business means managing more than just the guest experience. It involves navigating a web of legal and regulatory demands that can affect every part of your operation. From liquor licensing and employment compliance to contracts and real estate matters, even small missteps can lead to costly disruptions.
At Danna McKitrick, we provide tailored legal solutions for restaurateurs, event venues, caterers, hotels, and entertainment businesses. Whether you’re launching a new concept, expanding operations, or dealing with regulatory compliance, our experienced attorneys help you mitigate risk, structure smart agreements, and protect your brand, so you can focus on delivering unforgettable experiences.
Legal Counsel That Keeps the Spotlight on You
Success in the restaurant and entertainment industry requires more than just great food, service, or performances. It requires strong legal protections that ensure your business stays compliant, profitable, and prepared for challenges. We help businesses structure partnerships, negotiate contracts, and resolve disputes, giving you the legal foundation to grow with confidence.
We assist with:
- Business formation & structuring – Choosing the right legal entity for your goals.
- Lease negotiations & real estate – Securing prime locations with favorable terms.
- Vendor & supplier contracts – Drafting agreements that protect your interests.
- Mergers, acquisitions & exit strategies – Positioning your business for future success.
With strategic legal planning, we help hospitality businesses stay ahead in a competitive market.
Employment & Operations Compliance
From hiring and training to tip pooling and wage disputes, restaurants and entertainment venues must comply with state and federal employment laws to avoid fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage. Our attorneys provide guidance on wage and hour laws, workplace policies, employee agreements, and dispute resolution.
We also assist with:
- Health & safety regulations – Ensuring compliance with food handling, sanitation, and workplace safety laws.
- Liquor licensing & permitting – Obtaining and maintaining necessary licenses for alcohol sales.
- Franchising & expansion – Structuring agreements that protect both franchisors and franchisees.
With proactive legal strategies, we help businesses avoid costly employment issues and regulatory pitfalls.
Protecting Your Brand & Intellectual Property
Your brand identity, creative assets, and proprietary business strategies set you apart in a competitive industry. Protecting these elements ensures long-term success and prevents unauthorized use by competitors. From logos and trade names to proprietary concepts and unique business plans, safeguarding your intellectual property is essential.
We provide legal guidance on:
- Trademark registration – Protecting your business name, logo, and brand identity.
- Copyrights & creative content – Securing ownership over menus, music, and marketing materials.
- Licensing agreements – Ensuring fair use of intellectual property for partnerships and branding opportunities.
By protecting your brand assets, we help businesses maintain their competitive edge and prevent unauthorized use of their ideas.
Your Legal Partner in the Restaurant & Entertainment Industry
From grand openings to daily operations, our attorneys provide strategic legal support tailored to the hospitality and entertainment industries. With our deep industry knowledge and hands-on approach, we help clients minimize legal risks, maximize growth opportunities, and keep their businesses running smoothly.
Areas of Practice
Trusted
Expertise
Expertise
Danna McKitrick was founded on three core principles: practical guidance, complete service, and approachable counsel.
Today, those values have helped us grow into one of the most respected mid-sized firms in St. Louis, known for delivering strategic legal solutions with the depth of a large firm and the personal commitment of a trusted advisor.
Practical
We provide clear, realistic legal strategies designed for real-world success, combining insight with decisive action.
Complete
Our collaborative team approach ensures every challenge is met with the full strength of our diverse legal expertise.
Approachable
We build strong client relationships, serving as trusted advisors who are as invested in your success as you are.
Danna McKitrick is a mid-sized law firm delivering sophisticated, results-driven legal counsel across a wide range of practice areas. We provide strategic guidance to businesses and individuals, combining deep expertise with responsive service to achieve superior outcomes.
Contact
- Danna McKitrick, P.C.
- 314.726.1000
- info@dmfirm.com
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7701 Forsyth Blvd., Ste. 1200
St. Louis, MO 63105
© 2025 Danna McKitrick, P.C. Attorneys at Law | Legal Disclaimers