The U.S. Department of Justice made headlines in April 2026 when it extended the compliance deadlines for its ADA Title II web and mobile accessibility rule. Public entities with populations of 50,000 or more now have until April 26, 2027. Smaller public entities and special district governments now have until April 26, 2028. For California…
Continue reading…Hotel Policies on Renting to Minors: What California Operators Should Review Now
California hotel operators should take a fresh look at their policies for renting rooms to unaccompanied minors. Recent demand letters aimed at California hotels have raised concerns about blanket age-based rental restrictions, especially where those policies appear on hotel websites, third-party booking platforms, or brand-controlled reservation pages. For hotel owners, general managers, and hospitality operators,…
Continue reading…The 7 Employment Lawsuits California Hotel Owners and Franchisees Need to Beware of in 2026 — And the One the EEOC Just Made Worse
If you own a hotel or operate a fast food franchise in California, the demand letter may already be closer than you think. California employers continue to face aggressive wage-and-hour litigation, PAGA representative actions, meal and rest period claims, harassment allegations, accessibility lawsuits, and misclassification disputes. For hospitality businesses, QSR operators, franchisees, and other high-volume…
Continue reading…California Franchise Disclosure Requirements: What Fast Food Franchisees Should Know Before Signing in 2026
If you are considering buying into a fast food franchise in California, or you are an existing franchisee facing renewal, the Franchise Disclosure Document, often called the FDD, is one of the most important legal documents you will review. For California fast food franchisees, the stakes are especially high in 2026. California’s franchise laws already…
Continue reading…7 Commercial Loan Traps California Hotel Owners and Franchisees Should Review Before They Refinance
You signed for a $400,000 SBA loan to renovate your hotel lobby. Six months later, rates improve and you want to refinance. That is when you discover the prepayment penalty buried deep in the loan documents: a 5% fee that could cost $20,000 just to exit a loan you may not have accepted if the…
Continue reading…Noncompete Clauses in California Business Contracts: What the FTC’s 2026 Warning Means for Your Agreements
If you own or manage a business in California, noncompete clauses should already be on your radar. California has long taken one of the strictest positions in the country against contracts that restrict someone from working in their lawful profession, trade, or business. Now, the issue has become even more important for companies that operate…
Continue reading…7 Estate Planning Mistakes California Business Owners Make in 2026
Your business is more than an income source. For many California owners, it is the asset they spent years building and the legacy they hope to pass on. But without the right estate plan, California law and court procedures can end up deciding what happens to that business, your real estate, and other major assets….
Continue reading…California Short-Term Rental Regulations: What Hotel Operators and Property Owners Need to Know in 2026
California’s short-term rental market continues to evolve, and 2026 has brought another round of changes that hotel operators, vacation rental owners, and hospitality investors cannot afford to ignore. For businesses in hospitality, real estate, and short term rentals, the legal landscape is becoming more complex at both the state and local levels. For hotel owners…
Continue reading…The SBA’s New $10 Million Lending Limit, Double Previous Cap
If you have been thinking about buying a business, or preparing to sell one, there is an important SBA development worth watching closely. Effective July 4, 2026, eligible borrowers will be able to combine an SBA 7(a) loan and an SBA 504 loan for up to $10 million in total SBA-backed financing. That is double…
Continue reading…California Commercial Real Estate Due Diligence: The Checklist Every Investor Needs Before Closing
Purchasing commercial real estate in California is one of the largest financial commitments a business owner or investor can make. Whether you are acquiring a retail center in San Diego, repositioning an office building for conversion, or purchasing a hospitality asset along the coast, the due diligence period is your best opportunity to uncover risks,…
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