With its many years of experience and specialized knowledge of the food, beverage and hospitality sector, ZEK has assisted a variety of clients navigate the legal challenges facing this competitive industry. ZEK’s varied clients include food distributors, manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, as well as restaurants and other food and hospitality providers. Over the years ZEK has offered its clients a broad array of legal services specific to the food and beverage industry. These include: Preparation and enforcement of distribution and supply agreements, private label agreements, warehousing agreements and manufacturing and processing agreements Preparation of other specialized industry agreements, including confidentiality agreements for recipes and food products and import agreements Assistance and advice concerning food safety mitigation and implementation of regulatory compliance requirements, such as under the Food Safety Modernization Act Negotiation and management of third-party logistics contracts and fleet leases Preparation and enforcement of restrictive covenants, including non-solicitation and management-level non-compete agreements and affirmative and defensive litigation concerning the applicability and scope of restrictions Preparation and management of state liquor license applications, renewals and amendments and representation in administrative proceedings involving license revocation and liquor law violations In addition, and drawing upon ZEK’s other varied practice groups, our multi-disciplinary team handles general business matters for ZEK’s food and beverage industry clients, such as: Human resource management, labor and employment Creditors’ rights in bankruptcy Litigation of business disputes Entity formation and corporate governance Mergers and acquisitions Real estate acquisition and leasing Corporate financing Preparation of joint venture agreements Our specialized food and beverage industry team, together with lawyers across ZEK’s other multiple disciplines, assist our clients with both business opportunities and legal challenges.