Law Offices of John P. Connell, P.C.: My name is John P. Connell and I have been practicing law for twenty years. Before I became an attorney, I spent ten years in the Massachusetts restaurant business holding such positions as dishwasher, busboy, waiter and bartender. From this experience, I gained a lifelong appreciation and understanding of the restaurant businesses. In Continue Reading...
Category Archives: Beverage Blog
Law Offices of John P. Connell, P.C.: In November 2012, it was reported that the venerable Papa John’s Pizza restaurant chain is facing a $250 Million Dollar lawsuit by its customers who claim they were “spammed” by Papa John’s as part of an overly aggressive social media campaign. In particular, the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit alleged that Papa Continue Reading...
Law Offices of John P. Connell, P.C: In 2004, “An Act Protecting the Wages and Tips of Certain Employees” (the “Act”) was ratified by the State of Massachusetts to improve and further the protection of restaurant service employees and waitstaff. The Act amended several sections of M.G.L. c. 149 and c. 151, making changes to allow employee inspection of payroll Continue Reading...
Law Offices of John P. Connell, P.C.: In Massachusetts, it is common that owners of restaurants will work for their restaurant business and be paid as an employee for such services as cooking or management, in addition to having an ownership interest in the profits and losses of the business. The owner/employee often times receives a regular paycheck for his Continue Reading...
Law Offices of John P. Connell, P.C.: An alarming trend emerging in the restaurant industry is the vigor shown by governmental agencies and plaintiff’s lawyers that restaurant owners are allegedly exploiting their employees by misclassifying some of their “employees” as “independent contractors” in violation of the law, which can cause significant fines from governmental authorities and significant damages for plaintiff’s Continue Reading...