Opening a restaurant in Tennessee often means more than perfecting a menu and securing a space—it also requires getting through one of the more technical and time-consuming hurdles: alcohol licensing. In a city like Nashville, where the food and beverage scene continues to expand, that process can quickly become a roadblock for operators trying to open on time.
Ortale Kelley, a law firm with more than 50 years of history in the state, has developed a focused practice to help clients manage licensing requirements across Tennessee and beyond.
Whatnow Nashville spoke with Vicki Schmidt, a paralegal who helped launch the firm’s licensing division, to better understand what new operators should expect and how the firm approaches this critical step in the opening process.
While the firm handles various legal cases, what about alcohol licensing that makes Ortale Kelley particularly noteworthy?
While Ortale Kelley is a long-standing firm of over 50 years and has a strong foundation in real estate and litigation, they recognized a need to expand into licensing about 5 years ago. That’s when I joined the firm. I brought 12 years of experience which I leveraged to build and maintain a dedicated licensing division with the assistance of several attorneys on our Alcohol Beverage Law team. Now we are able to be a crucial partner for the dynamic food and beverage industry here in Nashville and do so timely, while other local firms have merged into busy large national firms, we provide prompt one-on-one service with our clients. Not only can we support all of Tennessee, we also support clients in neighboring states as well.
Navigating the in’s and out’s of licensing can seem complicated. What advice do you have for new operators?
Be prepared. It’s a highly regulated industry and process. New operators might assume it’s all about filling out an application but there is a significant amount of documentation required and a thorough review of the ownership involved for liability concerns. Many people underestimate the complexity and may encounter significant difficulties if they try to navigate it alone.
How does Ortale Kelley guide clients through this process?
We prioritize transparency from the beginning. Our engagement letters will include a clear breakdown of flat-fee billing so clients can understand the costs upfront. Once retained as a client, we supply a detailed list of all the required information and forms. The goal is to be efficient in gathering all the necessary details while keeping clients informed each step of the way. No matter how simple or complex your needs are, we work to make the process clear and streamlined.
How do you mitigate unforeseen issues or roadblocks?
We maintain open communication throughout the process. If there’s any problem, be it with submitted documents or background checks, we promptly contact the client. It’s through prompt and clear communication that we create a collaborative environment to find solutions, whether it’s providing supplementary information or exploring alternative solutions to keep the process moving forward. After our engagement we will continue to provide updates on changes in law or regulations that may affect your business through our newsletters. We also reach out directly when significant updates are particularly important and relevant.
For someone new to Nashville, what’s a local experience you might recommend?
Nashville offers a wealth of experiences! As a native Nashvillian, I would suggest exploring the vibrant and diverse scenes of SoHo, Wedgewood Houston, and East Nashville. You’ll find unique boutique restaurants, shops, and smaller music venues showcasing the city’s incredible music talent.
Need help navigating the licensing process?
Ortale Kelley’s team is available to support food and beverage operators across Tennessee and surrounding states. If you’re preparing to open a new concept and want experienced, one-on-one guidance, reach out to Ortale Kelley directly here.
[Editor’s Note: Ortale Kelley is a Preferred Partner of Whatnow, working alongside us to support restaurant operators navigating the alcohol licensing process in Tennessee and beyond. If you’re a food and beverage operator in the greater Nashville area and want to connect with experts like Ortale Kelley, apply to attend our upcoming Accelerate event, where you’ll meet industry partners who can help bring your concept to life.]
