Employment & Regulatory Compliance Analyst

About the Role The Restaurant Compliance & Licensing Analyst serves as a key member of the Legal, Human Resources, and Operations teams, supporting regulatory compliance, employment law risk management, liquor licensing administration, and legal operations across a global restaurant portfolio. This role manages liquor licensing and employment compliance for a 90+ location domestic restaurant portfolio. You’ll ensure tip credit, tip pooling, and wage‑hour compliance across all locations. Reporting directly to the Associate General Counsel, with a dotted‑line relationship to the Chief People Officer, this role acts as a strategic business partner responsible for coordinating legal compliance activities, managing alcohol licensing processes, supporting employment‑related investigations and litigation matters, and identifying proactive risk mitigation opportunities. The ideal candidate combines strong regulatory and employment law knowledge with exceptional project management, organization, and stakeholder management skills. This individual will regularly collaborate with internal business leaders, outside counsel, regulatory agencies, and employee representatives to ensure the organization maintains compliance while supporting business growth. Key Business Partners Human Resources Leadership Operations Leadership Leadership Development Team Finance and Payroll Teams External Legal Counsel Regulatory Agencies Insurance and Risk Management Partners What You’ll Bring Direct Report: Associate General Counsel Dotted‑Line Relationship: Chief People Officer Regulatory Compliance & Liquor Licensing Manage and maintain all alcohol licensing activities across company‑operated locations. Coordinate new license applications, renewals, transfers, ownership changes, and manager change filings. Maintain a centralized licensing database and compliance calendar. Monitor licensing requirements and regulatory developments across applicable jurisdictions. Serve as the primary liaison with alcohol beverage control agencies and outside licensing counsel. Coordinate responses to regulatory inquiries, audits, inspections, and compliance reviews. Identify and elevate licensing risks that may impact operations. Employment Law & Labor Compliance Support the Legal and Human Resources teams in managing employment‑related matters and legal risk. Assist with intake and administration of employee complaints, attorney demand letters, agency charges, and litigation matters. Coordinate document collection, evidence preservation, and litigation hold processes. Support internal workplace investigations involving employee relations concerns. Track and monitor legal claims, investigations, and regulatory inquiries. Partner with HR leadership to identify trends and emerging employment risks. Wage & Hour / Tipped Employee Compliance Support compliance efforts related to wage‑and‑hour laws affecting restaurant operations. Assist with monitoring and documentation related to: Tip credit compliance Tip pooling arrangements Overtime calculations Meal and rest break compliance Employee classification matters Timekeeping practices Coordinate with HR, Payroll, Finance, and outside counsel to investigate potential compliance concerns. Support remediation efforts when operational or payroll issues are identified. Legal Operations & Outside Counsel Management Act as a primary coordinator between internal stakeholders and external legal counsel for employee and commercial litigation. Manage legal matter tracking, status reporting, and document repositories. Assist with legal spend tracking and invoice management. Prepare executive summaries and reporting for senior leadership. Maintain privileged and confidential legal records in accordance with company policies. Global Compliance Coordination Support legal and HR compliance initiatives across the United States, Brazil, and the United Kingdom. Coordinate with local counsel and external advisors on jurisdiction‑specific employment and regulatory matters. Assist with implementation and documentation of compliance programs across multiple jurisdictions. Maintain compliance calendars and reporting requirements for key employment and regulatory obligations. Governance, Controls & Risk Mitigation Identify operational, employment, and regulatory risks and recommend mitigation strategies. Assist in developing and documenting compliance processes, controls, and standard operating procedures. Support policy management and document retention programs. Maintain audit‑ready documentation and compliance records. Contribute to broader governance initiatives that strengthen internal controls and support future Sarbanes‑Oxley compliance objectives. Qualifications Required: Bachelor's Degree, Associate Degree, or Paralegal Certification. Minimum 3years of experience supporting legal, employment, regulatory, compliance, or labor‑related functions. Experience working with external counsel and regulatory agencies. Strong project management and organizational skills. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage confidential and privileged information. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and document management systems. 1+ years in restaurant, hospitality, or multi‑unit food service operations. Experience with alcohol beverage licensing, permits, or regulatory filings. Preferred: Experience within restaurants, hospitality, retail, franchise, or multi‑unit operating environments. Experience supporting liquor licensing programs. Employment law or labor relations experience. Experience supporting wage‑and‑hour compliance initiatives. Exposure to multi‑state or international employment matters. Paralegal certification preferred but not required. Success Measures Within the first 12months, establish and maintain a centralized licensing and compliance management process. Improve visibility into employment‑related legal matters and associated risks. Implement tracking and escalation protocols for regulatory and employment issues. Strengthen documentation and legal operations processes. Develop reporting tools that support informed decision‑making by Legal, HR, and Operations leadership. Contribute to a stronger governance and compliance framework that supports sustainable growth and operational excellence. Why Join Us This role offers a unique opportunity to operate at the intersection of Legal, Human Resources, and Operations within a growing global hospitality organization. The successful candidate will gain exposure to complex employment law matters, regulatory compliance, liquor licensing, labor risk management, and governance initiatives while partnering directly with senior business leaders and legal counsel. Benefits Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance are available for full‑time team members starting on the first of the month following their start date. Company‑paid Life Insurance and Short‑Term Disability are provided where allowed. Comprehensive voluntary benefits package including Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident Coverage. Fogo de Chão is an Equal Opportunity & E Verify Employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr Fogo de Chão