This article is Part 1 of our two-part series on the termination of beer franchise rights in Florida. For Part 2, see Florida Distribution Agreements: Buyouts and Buybacks. Florida’s Beer Franchise Statute (Fla. Stat. s. 563.022) puts severe controls on the contractual relationship between beer suppliers and beer distributors. Implicit to these controls is recognition of the beer franchise–a...
Continue ReadingThe terms and conditions for popular food and alcohol delivery service apps may be incompatible with the Florida Beverage Law’s prohibition on alcohol home delivery by breweries and craft distilleries. Florida Breweries and Craft Distilleries are Prohibited from Making Deliveries to Customers The Florida Beverage Law (specifically Florida Statutes Section 561.57(1)) generally allows licensed alcohol vendors to accept remote...
Continue ReadingFlorida’s “Tied House Evil” Law—Florida Statutes Section 561.42—generally prohibits alcoholic beverage distributors from having any financial interest, directly or indirectly, in the business of an alcoholic beverage vendor. It also prohibits distributors from assisting any vendor by gifts or loans of money or property “or by giving of any rebates of any kind whatsoever.” However, an exception is made...
Continue ReadingIn Florida, it’s common for beer suppliers and distributors alike to speak in terms of the appointment of a supplier’s exclusive distributor. This is not technically accurate in the context of the Florida Beverage Laws. A beer supplier is not required to appoint an exclusive distributor for itself in Florida. Rather, a supplier is required by Florida law to...
Continue ReadingWho can delivery beer, wine, and distilled spirits directly to the homes of Florida customers? See the following summary chart and the explanations below. Florida Breweries Cannot Deliver Alcohol to Customers’ Homes While certain breweries are allowed by Florida law to sell alcoholic beverages to customers, breweries are specifically prohibited from delivering alcohol away from their licensed taproom or...
Continue ReadingLate Payment to Distributors Can Land a Vendor on the “No Sale” List Florida alcoholic beverage vendors can end up on the Delinquent Account List–also called the “No Sale” List–if they fail to timely pay a distributor’s invoice. When a vendor purchases alcoholic beverages from a distributor, the vendor’s payment must be delivered no later than the 10th day...
Continue ReadingFlorida’s Beer Franchise Law Florida Beverage Law requires beer manufacturers and importers to work with beer distributors. At the heart of the relationship between suppliers and distributors is Florida’s Beer Franchise Law, Florida Statutes Section 563.022. The Franchise Law is a long, complicated statute that requires each beer supplier to grant a Florida distributor the exclusive right (called a...
Continue ReadingFlorida’s Three Tier System is a source of constant frustration for most of Florida’s alcoholic beverage and manufacturers. Brewers, distilleries, and (most) wineries are prohibited from distributing their own products to retail vendors. Florida breweries and distilleries are prohibited from selling their products to online customers. Florida distilleries can have gift shops, but they are prohibited from selling beverages...
Continue ReadingMany Florida alcohol vendors can make home deliveries, but not breweries and distilleries.
Continue ReadingMost of the activities provided by Florida’s alcoholic beverage industry are “essential services” under the governor’s “Safe at Home” order.
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