17+ states say yes. Restaurant owners in California, New Jersey, Illinois, Oregon, and Maryland face active mandates — with SECURE 2.0 credits that can make compliance free.
Get Your Free Compliance Audit →California (CalSavers) — 1+ employees. Full-service and fast casual restaurants across LA, San Francisco, San Diego must comply. Penalty: $250-$500/employee/year.
Oregon (OregonSaves) — 1+ employees. All Portland, Eugene, Salem area restaurants. Penalty: $100/employee/year.
Maryland (MarylandSaves) — 1+ employees. Baltimore, DC-area restaurants. Penalty: $250/employee/year.
Illinois (IL Secure Choice) — 5+ employees. Chicago-area restaurants. Penalty: $250-$500/employee/year.
New Jersey (RetireReady NJ) — 25+ employees. Covers chains and mid-size restaurant groups statewide.
The restaurant industry's high turnover and large part-time workforce creates unique compliance considerations:
Restaurant owners are among the biggest beneficiaries of SECURE 2.0 tax credits:
✓Up to $5,000/year × 3 years startup cost credits
✓$1,000/employee/year contribution credits (up to 50 employees)
A Chicago restaurant with 20 employees → up to $35,000 in credits over 3 years. A Los Angeles restaurant with 30 employees → up to $45,000+.
These credits more than cover plan administration costs — meaning compliance is profitable for most restaurant owners.
We help restaurant owners navigate retirement mandates across: Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Las Vegas, Portland, Denver, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston, Miami, Houston, and all 17 mandate states.
Find out exactly what your state mandate means for your business — and whether a private plan saves you more money.
Book Your Free Audit →COMPLIANCE AUDIT SERVICES
Your flat-rate fee covers: state mandate compliance audit • employer education on plan options & SECURE 2.0 tax credits • plan design consultation • coordination with licensed third-party administrators who establish and administer your plan.
| Business Size | Audit & Consultation Fee | Annual Coordination Fee | SECURE 2.0 Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–15 employees | $1,500 | $600/yr | up to $15,000 |
| 16–30 employees | $2,500 | $900/yr | up to $15,000 |
| 31–75 employees | $3,500 | $1,500/yr | up to $15,000 |
Kandelaki Solutions provides retirement plan compliance consulting and employer education services. Retirement plan establishment and administration is performed by independent, licensed third-party plan administrators and registered investment advisors. Kandelaki Solutions does not act as a broker-dealer or investment advisor in connection with plan establishment. SECURE 2.0 tax credit eligibility depends on individual business circumstances; consult your tax advisor.