Chattanooga Beer Board approves Embassy Suites beer permit after questions on ownership structure

The Chattanooga Beer Board approved a beer permit for the new Embassy Suites hotel, operated by Vision RCC LLC, after board members and staff reviewed the company's ownership charts and clarified who would be accountable for the license.

Board members discussed whether a natural person -- not just corporate entities -- must be identifiable on the beer-permit application. Regulatory staff told the board that state application rules require listing any person with 5% or greater ownership interest; in this case the ownership structure included two corporate owners of Vision RCC LLC and one individual, Matul I. (Mitch) Patel, whose derivative interest exceeded the 5% threshold.

Why it matters: identifying a person with clear accountability is part of the board's oversight for on-site alcohol service and enforcement. The board examined the applicant's organizational charts, the hotel's operating arrangements and how the hotel will operate public and in-house beverage sales.

Board discussion and clarifications Board staff said Vision RCC LLC is the ownership entity for the Embassy Suites asset and that the company had submitted an organizational chart on July 2, 2025 and a revised chart the day before the meeting. Regulatory staff explained that Vision Riverfront District LLC holds 88.43% of Vision RCC LLC and that Patel owns 19.74% of Vision Riverfront District LLC; when the percentages are multiplied through the ownership chain, Patel’s derivative interest in Vision RCC LLC exceeds 5%. Staff noted no other individual held a 5% or greater direct or derivative interest.

Ownership representative Glenn Hogan identified himself as the ownership representative and said he works with the investors and handles financial matters for the deal. Michelle Malone identified herself as the prospective general manager at the Embassy Suites. Board members asked whether Patel is individually listed on the application and whether the LLC is manager-managed; staff confirmed the submitted operating agreement lists the entity as manager-managed and identifies Patel as the manager and as the registered agent in some filings.

Legal and procedural points raised included whether officers of a corporate owner must also complete application paperwork if no natural-person owner is evident, and whether a manager-managed LLC's manager can serve as the accountable person on the permit. Board legal counsel advised that manager-managed entities typically vest authority in the manager, and the board discussed using officers or the manager as responsible parties when no individual owner directly holds title.

Operations and enforcement details Board members asked how the hotel would handle in-house sales and carry-out. Hotel representatives said the hotel will have a lobby pantry (market) for guests and a separate bar area; the pantry is intended primarily for registered guests but the bar will be open to the public. Staff described the “carry out” permit type as allowing a guest to purchase beer to take to their room; the hotel said it enforces a 100% carding policy and uses front-desk and bartender training to prevent unlawful off-premises consumption.

Decision and other permit actions After the discussion the board moved to approve the beer-permit application for Vision RCC LLC (Embassy Suites), permit number 1348. The board completed a background check and discussed that the property is new construction and expected to complete closing in about two to three weeks. Regulatory staff said they had received the revised organizational chart and the operating agreement the day before the meeting and had run the required background checks.

Votes at a glance - Vision RCC LLC (Embassy Suites), beer permit 1348 — Motion to approve passed (vote tally not specified in transcript; chair recorded a “yes” vote). - TWS Golf LLC, beer permit 1324 — recorded as approved by regulatory (no additional board debate in this meeting). - 100Food5 LLC, beer permit 1323 — recorded as approved. - Speedway (Pierce), beer permit 1353 — recorded as approved.

The board also approved the July 17, 2025, minutes earlier in the meeting and adjourned to an administrative hearing immediately after the beer-board session.

Ending Board members indicated no further public comment and moved to adjourn; the administrative hearing followed immediately after this meeting.