LEXMIND has built up particular experience in advising and assisting businesses, investors and entrepreneurs in the hotel and catering business. In Belgium, this sector is known as HORECA (HOtels – REstaurants – CAfes).
Our lawyers are able to assist you in the development of all HORECA projects, especially with:
- The acquisition, sale or renting of the premises required to develop your business project;
- The planning and organisation of a refurbishment or conversion, especially from the point of view of administrative authorisations and town planning constraints. When appropriate, we work with your architect and contractors;
- Negotiating and concluding any necessary business agreements, such as a franchise agreement, a supply contract, brewery contract, etc;
- Obtaining and structuring the necessary credit and financing to get your project up and running;
- Dealing with all questions relating to recruitment, hiring, managing and dismissing staff;
- Managing tax problems, especially in terms of VAT, income tax, excise duties and local taxes;
- Choosing the legal structure that best suits your project;
- Dealing with all questions relating to the necessary administrative authorisations, especially about foodstuffs, patents, occupation of public spaces, noise and odour nuisance, etc;
- The protection of distinctive marks for your project, such as your brand, trade name, website, etc;
LEXMIND also provides you with advice and assistance in the event of restructuring, renegotiation of contracts, transfer of a business, of business assets or company shares, as well as in dealing with any disputes that you may encounter in your activities, promoting amicable settlements and conciliation, and where necessary having recourse to legal or administrative procedures suitable for the protection and defence of your interests.
LEXMIND regularly provides advice and assistance in transactions involving hotels, play spaces, spas, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, franchisors and franchised establishments, travel agents and travel companies, etc.