Facing an ABC Violation or Licensing Dispute? What to Do Next

This Isn't the Day You Planned For

You opened your doors this morning expecting a normal day. Customers to serve. Staff to manage. Maybe a delivery to check in.

Instead, you're staring at a violation notice. Or a letter from the ABC. Or an inspector who won't leave. Or a contract dispute that just blew up.

This isn't what you signed up for when you started this business.

Take a breath. You're not alone, and this is fixable.

First: Don't Make It Worse

When hospitality owners face unexpected legal problems, the first instinct is usually to explain, negotiate, or fix it themselves.

That instinct is understandable. It's also dangerous.

Here's what NOT to do:

• Don't argue with inspectors or ABC agents. Be polite, be cooperative, but don't volunteer information or admit fault. Anything you say can and will be used in enforcement proceedings.

• Don't sign anything you don't fully understand. Consent agreements, settlement offers, corrective action plans—these have real legal consequences. Get them reviewed first.

• Don't ignore the notice. Deadlines matter. Missing a response window can escalate a minor issue into a major one, including license suspension or revocation.

• Don't assume it will just go away. It won't. Regulatory agencies have long memories and systems that track compliance history. Unresolved issues compound.

• Don't vent on social media. Seriously. Anything public can be used against you, and it rarely helps your case.

What You're Likely Facing

Hospitality legal problems generally fall into a few categories. Knowing which one you're dealing with helps determine the right response.

‍ABC Violations

• Sales to minors (even if your staff checked ID)
• Sales to intoxicated persons
• Operating outside permitted hours
• Improper record-keeping or inventory documentation
• Unauthorized entertainment or activities
• Failure to maintain required certifications (TABS, food handler permits, etc.)
  

Licensing Disputes

• Renewal denials or delays
• License transfer complications during a sale
• Challenges from neighbors, local officials, or competing businesses
• Zoning or local ordinance conflicts affecting license status
  

Inspector Issues

• Health department citations
• Fire marshal violations
• Building code issues
• Targeted or repeated inspections that feel excessive
  

Contract Disputes

• Landlord conflicts (lease terms, rent disputes, eviction threats)
• Vendor or supplier disagreements
• Partnership disputes among owners
• Employee issues (wrongful termination claims, wage disputes)
  

Cease and Desist or Legal Threats

• Letters from attorneys representing competitors, neighbors, or former partners
• Trademark or intellectual property claims
• Demand letters seeking payment or action

What to Do Right Now

If you're in the middle of an issue, here's your immediate action plan:

1. Document Everything

• Take photos of any posted notices or citations
• Save all correspondence (letters, emails, texts)
• Write down what was said during any verbal interactions (who, what, when, where)
• Gather any relevant records (employee schedules, ID check logs, receipts, contracts)

2. Note All Deadlines

• When is a response due?
• When is the hearing scheduled?
• When does the corrective action need to be completed?
• Put these in your calendar with reminders

3. Don't Respond Yet (Unless Deadline Is Imminent)

• Your first response sets the tone for everything that follows
• A hasty reply drafted in panic mode rarely helps
• If a deadline is within 24-48 hours, contact an attorney immediately

4. Contact a Hospitality-Specific Attorney

• General business attorneys may not understand ABC enforcement
• Hospitality-focused counsel knows the regulatory landscape, the key players, and what actually works
• The sooner you engage help, the more options you have

Why Speed Matters

Hospitality legal issues don't age well.

The longer a violation sits unaddressed, the harder it becomes to resolve favorably. Regulatory agencies interpret delays as indifference. Hearing officers have less sympathy for respondents who waited until the last minute.

And meanwhile, your business suffers. Staff morale drops. Customers sense something's off. Your energy goes to fighting fires instead of running your operation.

Fast resolution isn't just about winning the legal battle. It's about getting back to normal so your business can survive and thrive.

What Resolution Can Look Like

Every situation is different, but here's what's possible with the right approach:

• Violations reduced or dismissed based on procedural errors, insufficient evidence, or mitigating circumstances

• Penalties minimized through negotiated settlements or consent agreements

• Licensing issues resolved without suspension or revocation

• Inspector relationships reset with clear compliance plans and improved communication

• Contract disputes settled without costly litigation

• Your business protected while you get back to doing what you do best  

This isn't wishful thinking. It's what happens when hospitality owners get proper legal support quickly.

You Need Solutions, Not Lectures

Here's what we know about hospitality owners facing legal problems: you don't need a lawyer who talks down to you or makes you feel worse about what happened.

You need someone who understands your business, respects what you've built, and can fix problems fast.

You need solutions, actions, and results.

That's what we do.

‍When Problems Arise, We Rise

At BevLaw Group, we don't just handle hospitality legal issues. We resolve them. Quickly, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to your operation.

Your customers, your staff, your livelihood—they all depend on getting back to normal as fast as possible. We understand that. It's why we move fast and communicate clearly.

You didn't plan for this. But you don't have to face it alone.

Schedule your free consultation.