What to Know if You Are Considering a Liquor Liability Lawsuit against Snooze A.M. Eatery
My firm has been taking legal action against bars for unlawful alcohol service for the last 30 years. To date, we've handled more dram shop (liquor liability) cases than any other firm in Texas. With so much experience behind us, we are all too aware of what a problem this is, and just how damaging the consequences can be when bars and restaurants fail to follow alcohol regulations. The problem is much worse than the general public realizes. In hopes of shining a light on this issue, I keep tabs on the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission complaint database and report my findings here on my website. If you think you may have a dram shop claim, I encourage you to call my office at (855) 326-0000.
Snooze A.M. Eatery is a popular restaurant chain that serves breakfast and lunch. Founded in Colorado in 2006, it steadily expanded into other states, like Texas, Arizona, and California. With its lively ambience and unique menu, Snooze is already proving very successful. In 2018, its yearly revenue was at around $120 million, with projections showing that figure nearly doubling by 2021.
Its primary competitors are other well-known breakfast spots like IHOP and Mimi's Cafe, but Snooze offers something that its competition does not: a full bar. While it's not uncommon to see restaurants serving mimosas at brunch, the wide selection of alcohol that Snooze offers means its patrons have the option to order drinks that are much stronger than orange juice and champagne. Moreover, its CEO has even stated publicly that one goal is to revolutionize the idea of day drinking, demonstrating just how integral alcohol is to the brand's image.
Any establishment that serves alcohol risks running afoul of the law, and Snooze is no exception. In the last few years, TABC has had to investigate on more than one occasion.
Note: Investigations are not proof of wrongdoing. Even when a complaint is filed, it does not mean that a violation of alcohol service laws occurred. Even in the absence sufficient evidence, it doesn't necessarily mean an establishment is innocent, either. In order to take action against a bar, investigators must find sufficient evidence that a violation of Texas liquor laws took place. Due to the nature of such offenses, that proof can be difficult to find. The purpose of this article is simply to relay publicly-available information about incidents where the TABC has investigated Snooze A.M. Eatery for possible criminal or administrative violations.
TABC Investigations of Snooze A.M. Eatery since 2017
Houston - 718 W 18th Street Suite A
Allegation:
On 04/08/2019, TABC received a citizen complaint about a patron who allegedly left this location while in possession of an alcoholic beverage.
After a month-long investigation, the case concluded on 05/08/2019 due to insufficient evidence of criminal or administrative violations.
Addison - 5100 Belt Line Road Suite 824
Allegation:
An investigation into this location began on 08/16/2018 after an unnamed source alleged that staff sold alcohol to a minor.
With no video footage or other hard evidence to corroborate the claim, TABC closed its investigation on 10/11/2018.
Austin - 1700 S Lamar Boulevard Suite 301
Allegation:
By far the most common allegation a bar can face is selling alcohol to an intoxicated person. On 12/08/2017, a concerned citizen claimed that such a violation took place at this location.
TABC conducted a two-month investigation of the matter, but as is so often the case, sufficient evidence to sustain the allegation could not be found. Thus, the inquiry concluded without further action on 02/09/2018.
Texas Law Says Accident Victims Can Sue Bad Bars
If you would like to learn more about Texas "dram shop" law (i.e. liqour liability law / lawsuits against bars who play a role in injurious or fatal accidents), please visit our Texas Dram Shop Law Info Page.
