Robert Zarco

Robert Zarco

Founding and Co-Managing Partner, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A.

Robert Zarco is the Founding Partner of Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., located in Miami, Florida. He has established a respected presence in the fields of franchise law and commercial litigation, handling complex commercial cases and legal transactions over his four-decade career. His work encompasses trials, legal disputes, arbitration, and mediation in both federal and state courts.

With a track record in commercial litigation and franchise law, Zarco has been featured in Best Lawyers since 2006, including being named "Lawyer of the Year" in 2020 by Best Lawyers in America©. He has earned membership in Litigation Counsel of America and the Order of Centurions Trial Lawyers Honor Society. Under his leadership, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. has been consistently acknowledged among the "Best Law Firms" nationally in franchise law by Best Lawyers in America© in U.S. News & World Report.

Mr. Zarco leads a dedicated team of attorneys with robust expertise in economics, banking, and accounting. The firm is recognized for its effective handling of franchise and business-related transactions and disputes, including intellectual property and real estate issues. Zarco passionately advocates for franchisee rights, influencing legislation for "Fair Franchising." His firm's achievements include landmark victories that have set legal precedents.

A Harvard University Economics graduate, Zarco's business acumen was enhanced by his experience as a financial analyst at General Motors while attending Pace University's Graduate School for an MBA. His legal career began with a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, and he is admitted to numerous courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court and the Florida Supreme Court.

His firm represents franchisees and national franchisee associations from over 500 brands across the United States and internationally. Clients include notable franchisees such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Harley Davidson, among many more. Fluent in Spanish, Zarco's personal journey from Cuba and entrepreneurial spirit have influenced his professional achievements.

Beyond his legal practice, Zarco dedicates time to community service and philanthropy. His previous roles include serving on various boards and supporting charitable causes such as the Jewish Federation and Israel Bonds. He is an avid yachtsman and enjoys culinary pursuits, art collection, and quality time with his family in Miami.

Mr. Zarco's philosophies—“Work Hard, Play Hard” and “Live, Learn, Love, and Laugh”—reflect his approach to balancing professional and personal fulfillment. He resides in Miami with his family, deeply valuing travel and shared memories with his children and grandchildren.

Education

• University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida
  • J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence - 1985
• Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • B.A., Bachelor of Arts
  • Major: Economics

Bar and Court Admissions

• Florida
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court District of Arizona
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
• U.S. Supreme Court
• Supreme Court of Florida
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin
• U.S. District Court District of Colorado
• U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit

Practice Areas

• Franchise Law
• Complex Business & Commercial Law
• Commercial Trial Lawyer
• Business Litigation & Disputes
• Appeals, Arbitration & Mediation
• Real Estate & Insurance Disputes Resolution and Litigation
• Intellectual Property Disputes Resolution & Litigation
• Employment Law Disputes Resolution & Litigation

Honors & Awards

• Fellow and Order of the Centurions, Trial Lawyers Honorary Society, Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), Since 2021
• Lifetime Achievement Award in Total Quality Franchising by the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD)
• Lawyer of the Year; by Best Lawyer's, Franchise Law, 2020
• Best Lawyers of America – Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation, Since 2013
• "AV Pre-Eminent" Rating, Martindale-Hubbell/LexisNexis, Highest peer review rating for legal ability and ethical standards, Since 1995
• Chambers USA National Ranking in Franchising (mainly Franchisee)
• Super Lawyers, Franchise/Dealership and Business Litigation, Florida, 2006 to present
• Legal Eagles Hall of Fame – Franchise Times, Since 2015
• Legal Eagles – Franchise Litigation, Franchise Times, Since 2008
• Top Dealmakers of the Year", Real Estate Development – Daily Business Review, 2013 (Four Seasons Surf Club)
• 'Franchise Advocate of the Year' SWAG™ Award - Ask April Porter, 2023
• "Top 1% of America’s Most Honored Lawyers" - The American Registry
• "Top Lawyer" Franchisees & Automotive Dealerships, South Florida Legal Guide
• "Florida’s Legal Elite" - Florida Trend Magazine’s
• Haute Living Magazine’s Haute 100 List of Most Influential Names in Miami
• Haute Lawyer- Franchise Law, Commercial Litigation & Trial Lawyer
• "Men of Influence" – Lifestyle Magazine, 2022
• Who’s Who Legal (WWL) 'Thought Leaders' and 'Global Leaders' in Franchise Law
• South Florida’s Top Lawyers - Miami Herald
• Top Attorneys - Best in Class, Franchise Times
• Top Attorneys in Florida – "Franchise/Dealership Law"
• Biggest Restaurant Newsmakers – Restaurant Business Online, 2018
• "High-Flying Franchise Attorneys", Franchise Times Magazine
• "Top Franchise Attorneys – Top Legal Minds in the Business", Franchise Times
• Power Player, South Florida Business Leader Magazine
• "Top Lawyers in Franchise" - South Florida Legal Guide, Since 2009
• Key Partners Award - South Florida Business Journal Magazine
• The International Who’s Who of Franchise Lawyers, Since 2011
• National Register’s Who’s Who in Executives & Professionals
• "South Florida’s Top Lawyers", Miami Metro Magazine

Speakerships & Seminars

• May 2024: "The Impact of Private Equity on Your Franchise Relationship," AAFD’s 2024 Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO
• April 2024: "The Impact Private Equity Has On The Franchisor/Franchisee Relationship," Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) Day Forum & Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C.
• 2023, CFA DAY Forum, Panelist sharing his legal opinions on the Federal Trade Commission’s recent Request for Information about franchising, Wash. DC.
• 2023, Keynote Speaker at the SWAG Conference, “From Cuba to Court: How an Immigrant Created a Life of Sanity, Wealth & Gratitude,” St. Louis, MO.
• 2022, AAFD’s 30th Anniversary Franchisee Leadership Summit and Conference, Keynote Speaker “It’s Our Time”, Mesa, AZ.
• 2022, CFA Membership Webinar on 'Encroachment and Cannibalization in Franchising.'
• 2021, AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit, Speaker and Awarded the AAFD “Total Quality Franchising Award for Lifetime Achievement,” Virtual.
• 2019, Panelist Speaker, CFA Legal Symposium, “How to handle Encroachment issues”, Las Vegas, NV.
• 2019, AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit “When Private Equity Buys Your Franchise System” and led a Panel Discussion on “Protecting Franchisee Goodwill”, Mesa, AZ.
• 2019, Speaker, “Jack in the Box” National Franchisee Association Convention, Scottsdale, AZ.
• 2017, February 24. “Alternative Fee Arrangements”, Inaugural Corporate Counsel Summit, Coral Gables, FL.
• 2017, CFA Day Forum, “Franchisor Control – The Impact on Joint Employer Liability and Vicarious Liability,” Washington D.C.
• 2017, 25th Annual AAFD Franchisee Leadership Summit and Conference “Threat of NLRB to Joint Employer Doctrine,” Indian Wells, CA.
• 2016, November 10. “Where to Draw the Line – Is your Franchise Agreement an Unconscionable, Illusory Contract?”, 39th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Miami Beach, FL
• 2016, May 4. “NLRB Decision: Joint Employer”, 7-Eleven Franchisee National Coalition Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
• 2015, December 14. “Launching into the World”, Florida International University Commencement Ceremony, Miami FL.
• 2015, October 8-11. “Legal implications of the recent National Labor Relations Board decision on franchisors, franchisees and franchising in general”, 56th Annual HADA convention, Maui, HI
• 2015, September 21-22. “Joint- Employer: What it really Means for You and Franchisors”, 2015 DDIFO National Conference, Las Vegas, NV
• 2015, February 26. “Affordable Care Act – The Employer Mandate in Summary”, DDIFO District Member Meeting, Orlando, FL
• 2014, Florida International University Graduation Commencement Speaker.
• 2014, October 15-17. “The 7 Most Significant Franchise Cases of all Time”, 37th Annual ABA Forum on Franchising, Seattle, WA
• 2014, October 9-12. “Hawaii’s Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Act” , 55th Annual HADA Convention, Wailea, HI
• 2013, May: “A Seat at the Table-The Case for Franchisee Advisory Councils,” International Franchise Association (IFA), 46th Annual Legal Symposium, Washington, D.C
• 2013, May 5-9. “Alternatives to Default: Managing Underperforming Franchisees”, 46th Annual IFA Legal Symposium
• 2010, November. Lecture: University of Maryland
• 2009, October. “Franchise Litigation”, ABA Forum on Franchising, Toronto, ON, Canada
• 2009, May 30-31. “Tips for Franchisees in Pursuit of the American Dream”, Franchise & Business Opportunities Expo, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• 2009, June. “Tips for the Franchisee In Pursuit of the American Dream”
• 2009, March. “Guest satisfaction Still First Priority for hospitality Industry in Weathering Challenging Economic Times”
• 2009, February. “Creative Strategies for Franchise Businesses to Navigate Challenging Economic Times”
• 2006, October 11-13. “The Practical Considerations on Litigation Franchise Disputes” ABA 29th Annual Forum on Franchising, Boston, MA
• 2006, February 9-12. “Investing in a Hotel Franchise”, National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, Dallas, TX
• 2005, March 24-25. “Maximizing your Franchise Agreement”, 2005 AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• 2004, November 5. “Understanding the UFOC and Franchise Laws”, Hampton Roads Franchise Roads Expo 2004, Hampton, VA
• 2004, September 8. “Getting the Most of the Franchisor/Franchisee Relationships”, Tennessee Hospitality Alliance Exposition with Tennessee Restaurant Association, Nashville, TN
• 2004, August 6. “Benefits of a Franchise Association & Medicine Shoppe Franchise”, Pharmacy Franchise Owner Association, Anaheim, CA
• 2004, January 22. “Hospitality Franchising Issues”, Conrad N. Hilton College, University of Houston, Houston, TX
• 2003, September 22. “Lawsuit Trends and Thoughts on Avoiding Litigation”, Multi-Unit Food Service Operators Conference, Atlanta, GA
• 2003, June 12. Nova’s Fast Track MBA Training in Franchise Management – International Institute of Franchise Education, H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business & Entrepreneurship, Nova Southeastern University, Davie, FL
• 2003, June 3. “Franchising Today UFOC Night”, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s “Franchise Today”, Orientation Seminar, New York, NY
• 2003, April 9. “Franchising Today UFOC Night”, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s “Franchising Today”, Orientation Seminar, Orlando, FL
• 2003, January 22. "Franchise Relationship Laws in US Territories", U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's "Franchising Today" Orientation Seminar, Caguas, Puerto Rico.
• 2003, January 17. "The Ten Most Dangerous Provisions in a Franchise Agreement", Florida Bar Franchise Seminar, Miami, FL.
• 2002, October 30. “Financial Management of a Franchised Business and The Role of the CPA”, The Cuban American CPA Association, Miami, FL
• 2002, October 19. “Franchising Today: Exploring New Markets & New Opportunities”, The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles, CA
• 2002, October 6. “The 10 Most Dangerous Contract Clauses in The Hardee’s Franchise Agreement”, The Hardee’s Convention, Miami, FL
• 2000, April. “The Top Ten Issues Facing Hotel Counsel”
• 2000, Convention. Fairness and Good Faith and McDonald’s Remodeling Requirements.
• 2000, April. Alternatives in Resolving Franchisor– Franchisee Disputes— Part One: The Mediation Option
• 2000, March. “Liquidated Damages Clauses – Do You Always Have to Pay?”
• 2000, February. The American with Disabilities Act–An Overview for Franchisees in the Lodging Sector
• 2000, January. Premises Liability– Is the Franchisor or Franchisee Responsible When a Guest is Injured on Hotel Property
• 1999, December. To Pay or Not to Pay…(Royalties)…That is the Question.
• 1999, November. Part II of the Most Potentially Dangerous Contract Clauses in Your Franchise Agreement
• 1999, September. Ten of the Most Dangerous Contract Clauses Which May Be in Your Franchise Agreement
• Know Your Legal Rights.
• Practical Aspects of Franchisee Representation Alternative Dispute Resolution: Which Method is Best for Your Client
• The Sounds of Silence in the Franchise Agreement, co-author with Lawrence V. Ashe, Franchise Law Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, American Bar Association

Pro-Bono Activities

• City of Miami Beach Budget Advisory Committee
• Several committees for Greater Miami Jewish Federation
• Board of Directors of Temple Menorah
• Affiliate of American Franchisee Association
• Member of Beacon Council
• Delegate to White House Conference on Small Businesses
• University of Maryland Board of Trustees
• Jackson Memorial Hospital/Public Health Trust Governing Board of Trustees

Published Works

• Tips for the Franchisee in Pursuit of the American Dream
• Know Your Legal Rights
• Practical Aspects of Franchisee Representation Alternative Dispute Resolution: Which Method is Best for Your Client (Co-Author)
• The Sounds of Silence in the Franchise Agreement, co-author with Lawrence V. Ashe, Franchise Law Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, American Bar Association
• Fairness and Good Faith and McDonald's Remodeling Requirements, Consortium Members Inc. Equity Forum, A Publication for McDonald's Franchisees, 2000

Professional Associations

• American Bar Association, Member (ABA)
• Florida Bar Association, Member
• Dade County Bar Association, Member
• Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Member
• Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Member
• American Bar Association Franchise Forum
• Cuban American Bar Association (CABA)
• Dade County Trial Lawyers Association
• Federal Trial Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association
• Florida Justice Association
• International Franchise Association (IFA)
• American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD)
• Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA)
• Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), Fellow and Trial Law Institute Member
• Diversity Law Institute, Member – Litigation Counsel of America

Languages

• English
• Spanish