Department profile
Baker McKenzie

Franchising

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Baker McKenzie

Rankings

About

Provided by Baker McKenzie

 Our US team and its individual members are recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise in franchise transactions, acting for many of the largest franchise companies in the world on franchise, licensing and distribution matters in the US and in dozens of jurisdictions around the world. The team represents franchisors operating solely in the US and cross-border, as well as franchisors based outside of the US in connection with their inbound franchising efforts into the US.

 

Diverse clientele, bespoke solutions: Our clients come from a wide range of industries: both goods and services, consumer and industrial. We have broad expertise in many sectors that use franchise or license structures as part of their domestic and global expansion strategy, including clients in the retail, restaurant, car rental, hotel, entertainment and fashion sectors. Our work in the hotel and hospitality industries complements the expertise of our tourism practice group in hotel management agreements.

 

We work with our clients to find the structure that best suits their business in each sector and country, be it franchise, alternative licensing, equity joint venture or company-owned units. The need to think laterally and avoid a "one size fits all" approach is critical as US and international franchising laws continue to evolve. We have also opened up many more markets for franchisors through the work that we undertake in defending their valuable trademark rights from pirates.

Clients (10)

  • Brinker International
  • CEC Entertainment (Chuck E. Cheese)
  • Enterprise Holdings
  • Fogo de Chao
  • Great Place to Work
  • Golden Corral
  • International Diary Queen
  • Long John Silver's
  • Marriott International
  • Mattel

Industries (6)

  • Restaurant
  • Retail
  • Car Rental
  • Hotel
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Franchising - USA - Nationwide

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Baker McKenzie offers a broad base of franchising expertise, with a recognized focus on high profile transactional work. It has extensive experience advising franchisors on how best to format and expand their businesses. A varied client list includes several giants in the hospitality, retail and restaurant industries. It is highly regarded as a leading firm for international franchising, both for US franchises expanding abroad and for foreign franchises seeking to expand into the US.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Baker McKenzie assisted Yum! Brands with the negotiations of numerous development agreements with Pizza Hut's franchisee partners globally.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm does a great job in organising their team and giving efficient service.

    Franchising respondentUSA
  • Baker McKenzie has a high degree of expertise in franchise matters globally and an excellent sense of the market.

    Franchising respondentUSA
  • Baker McKenzie is able to handle extremely complex cross-border transactions.

    Franchising respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Will K Woods
    Band 1Will K Woods

    Will K Woods

    Will Woods works with notable clients including restaurants and hotels on a range of franchising work, including international transactions.

    • Will is a strategic leader and an exceptionally pragmatic adviser.

      Franchising respondentUSA
  • Band 3Kevin Maher
    Band 3Kevin Maher

    Kevin Maher

    Kevin Maher has a burgeoning franchise practice and regularly advises on international expansions and refranchising transactions. He is particularly adept at assisting clients in the entertainment and food and drink industries.

    • He is always available and very responsive.

      Franchising respondentUSA
    • He gives us practical advice and understands what we need at the moment.

      Franchising respondentUSA
    • He is exceptionally knowledgeable and has the ability to translate complex legal issues into practical business guidance.

      Franchising respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Baker McKenzie (2)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie has rankings in the following guides

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