Merchant Compliance

Protecting Local Kitchens and Enforcing State Law

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The Restaurant Merchant Compliance Playbook

Many independent kitchen operators are unaware that corporate delivery apps quietly list their businesses, scrape outdated menu data, and field unauthorized customer transactions without explicit, formal permission.

This unauthorized placement introduces severe logistical vulnerabilities, menu price inconsistencies, and unauthorized brand representation that directly damages your restaurant's hard-earned local reputation.

Official Statutory Law: Georgia Code § 10-1-439.18

Under the Georgia Online Third-Party Delivery Service Transparency Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-439.18), third-party electronic delivery platforms are bound by strict regulations. A third-party delivery service shall not:

  1. Take an order for or arrange for the pickup, transportation, or delivery of an order from a food service establishment to a customer without such establishment's prior written consent expressly authorizing such service.
  2. Use a food service establishment's name, likeness, registered trademark, or intellectual property on such service's platform... in a manner that implies association, sponsorship, or endorsement without obtaining such prior written consent.

How to Enforce Removal and Protect Your Brand

If your restaurant is currently listed on a major out-of-state application without an active, mutually executed written contract signed by you, they are operating in direct conflict with state trade codes.

Copy, fill out, and issue the formal demand notice below via registered corporate mail or their designated legal intake channel. Let the text of the law do the heavy lifting for you.

FORMAL DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE REMOVAL PURSUANT TO O.C.G.A. § 10-1-439.18 Date: [Insert Date] To: Legal Compliance Department, [Insert Third-Party Corporate App Name] Corporate Address: [Insert Corporate App Address] RE: Unauthorized Merchant Listing and Intellectual Property Use To Whom It May Concern, Please be advised that I am the authorized owner/legal representative of [Insert Actual Restaurant Name], operating physically at [Insert Full Restaurant Physical Address]. Pursuant to the Georgia Online Third-Party Delivery Service Transparency Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-439.18), third-party electronic delivery platforms are explicitly prohibited from listing a food service establishment, displaying its menu, processing client orders, or utilizing its business name, likeness, or registered trademarks without prior, express written consent. As of the date of this notice, [Insert Restaurant Name] has NOT granted written consent, nor executed a valid commercial agreement authorizing your platform to list our establishment, display our proprietary menu information, or handle deliveries on our behalf. DEMAND IS HEREBY MADE THAT YOU: 1. Immediately cease and desist all electronic order processing, delivery routing, and menu displays associated with our establishment. 2. Remove our business name, likeness, logo, and menu data from your public website, consumer application, and associated merchant portals within forty-eight (48) hours of receiving this notice. Failure to promptly comply with this statutory request will result in immediate escalation to the Governor's Office of Consumer Protection and the Attorney General of the State of Georgia for formal investigation into unfair and deceptive trade practices. Regards, _______________________________________ Authorized Signature Printed Name: [Insert Your Name] Title: [e.g., Owner / General Manager] Restaurant Name: [Insert Restaurant Name] Contact Phone: [Insert Phone Number] Contact Email: [Insert Email Address]