I think more and more in any business you need to find the right expert and specialist for your needs.. When you are negotiating a lease in this city I would want a real estate attorney who understands this city, real estate, landlords and the life-cycle of a restaurant. The same with respect to my liquor license. I would look for someone who understands community boards, the SLA and the issues you face in your geographic region. If you don’t get that license, you don’t have a business. The same with a labor lawyer—cutting corners now won’t help. Start your payroll properly now and understand the tip laws and immigration issues. There are a number of lawyers certainly in New York that understand the restaurant business. You should not be opening a restaurant if you don’t have the right accountant who understands the restaurant business, cash flow and operational expenses. Getting the right advice at the beginning is infinitely cheaper than paying on the backend.

I generally tell people coming to be at the beginning of a project that for five – ten thousand dollars worth of advice at the start from me or someone similar, and setting up handbooks, making sure your employment documents are right, training and making sure you have the right payroll set up and the right payroll company in place, you can literally avoid a million dollar settlement three years later. The difference is that much—or more—assuming you follow the advice at the beginning. I know how tight margins are, but if you don’t spend that money prospectively I guarantee some disgruntled ex-employee will find his way to the department of labor or a plaintiff’s attorney and will find some way to hurt you and your business.