Robert Zarco

Practice Areas

Franchise Law - All Areas, Mainly Franchisee

Complex Business & Commercial Law

Commercial Trial Lawyer

Business Litigation & Disputes

Appeals, Arbitration & Mediation

Career

Robert Zarco is the Founder and Managing Partner of Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., a Miami-based law firm nationally awarded for franchise law, complex commercial litigation, and high-stakes business disputes. A sophisticated and accomplished trial lawyer, Zarco has spent nearly 40 years representing franchisees, franchisee associations, distributors, dealers, licensees, hospitality companies, entrepreneurs, and business owners throughout the United States and internationally in complex litigation, arbitration, mediation, and trial matters.

Widely recognized in the franchise industry as “The Great Equalizer,” Mr. Zarco has built a respected national and international reputation advocating for franchisees and independent business owners in litigation involving large franchisors and corporations. His practice encompasses franchise and distribution law, wrongful termination and nonrenewal claims, fraud and misrepresentation matters, territorial and encroachment disputes, unfair trade practices, dealership litigation, emergency injunctive relief, business torts, private equity-related franchise conflicts, and other sophisticated commercial disputes.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Zarco has represented clients connected to more than 500 franchise systems in over 40 states and numerous countries worldwide. Under his leadership, Zarco Law has become one of the nation’s leading law firms dedicated to representing franchisees and independent business owners.

Before entering private practice, Mr. Zarco gained valuable corporate and business experience working for General Motors Corporation in New York as a Cost and Financial Analyst, where he managed financial analysis and forecasting responsibilities involving more than $1 billion in material inventory following completion of the company’s management training program. He also worked with The Miami Herald Publishing Company as Assistant to the Advertising and Marketing Managers, contributing to strategic marketing initiatives, including development of the Miami Herald’s three-year marketing plan.

At Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., Mr. Zarco and his partners bring a multidisciplinary approach to the practice of law, drawing on experience and knowledge in areas including economics, business operations, accounting, finance, risk management, marketing, and corporate strategy. This broad-based perspective enables the firm to provide clients with practical, business-oriented legal counsel in complex franchise, commercial, and litigation matters.

Professional Memberships

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 Country 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

Publications

https://www.zarcolaw.com/in-the-media/

Restaurant Business: “Franchisee Sues Jack in the Box, Claiming ‘Millions’ in Damages” (April 2026)

Restaurant Business: “McDonald’s Franchisees Send a Message with a “Bill of Rights” (January 2026)

Franchise Times: “Franchisees Allege Fraudulent Misrepresentation in Lawsuit Against Units Moving And Portable Storage” (December 2025)

Restaurant Business: “Round Table Pizza Franchisees Hire Zarco Law to Investigate Fat Brands’ Use of Marketing Funds After Months Without Advertising” (November 2025)

New York Post: “Subway Risks Being Gobbled Up by this Fast Growing Rival (December 2024)

Restaurant Business: “Some Subway Franchisees Push Back on the Beverage Contract” (September 2024)

ALM Daily Business Review: “Third DCA Reverses City of Miami’s ‘Draconian Remedy of Demolition’” (April 2024)

ALM Daily Business Review: “Frustrated Subway Franchisees Hire Legal Heavy Hitter to Press Their Case” (March 2024)

Restaurant Business: “Subway’s Franchisee Association Signals a More Aggressive Stance” (March 2024)

Restaurant Business: “Franchisees Sue Bojangles Over Marketing” (March 2024)

Franchise Times: “35 Little Gym Franchisees File Arbitration Claims” (October 2023)

Restaurant Business: “McDonald’s Franchisees are Angry Over the California Compromise” (September 2023)

Restaurant Business: “Dickey’s Put a Restaurant Up for Sale. Its Franchisee was Surprised” (August 2023)

ADWEEK: “After Clashing Over Marketing for Eons, Here’s How CMO’s and Franchisees Can Finally Get Aligned”

ALM Daily Business Review: “Broward Judge Has Never Seen Anything Like This: Awards $5.2M” (August 2023)

LAW 360: “Fla. Clinic Awarded $5.2M in ‘Egregious’ Noncompete Suit” (August 2023)

Franchise Times: “Franchise Attorneys Weigh in on FTC Inquiry as Wait for Action Begins” (July 2023)

Capital & Main: “California Bill Would Make Fast Food Corporations Liable for Labor Violations” (July 2023)

Crain’s Chicago Business: “McDonald’s Franchisees’ Unprecedented Push for More Power” (June 2023)

The Wall Street Journal: “McDonald’s Franchisees Push Back” (April 2023)

The New York Times: “Discontented Franchisees Seek a Bigger Say in their Business” and “Franchisers, Facing Challenges to Business Model, Punch Back” (April 2023)

Restaurant Business: “McDonald’s Franchisees may take their Complaints to the FTC” (March 2023)

The Wall Street Journal: “The Franchise Relationship that Powers Small Business is Fraying” (November 2020)

Personal

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Robert Zarco was born in Cuba and immigrated to the United States with his family in 1961. The experience of rebuilding life in a new country, along with the sacrifices and perseverance of his parents, helped shape the resilience, discipline, work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and business mindset that continue to define his legal career and personal philosophy today. From an early age, Zarco displayed a strong passion for business, launching his first venture while still young and investing in real estate during college — experiences that helped lay the foundation for his future success as a nationally recognized trial lawyer and trusted advisor to business owners.

Beyond the practice of law, Zarco is widely respected as a civic leader, mentor, and philanthropist who has long supported charitable, healthcare, educational, and community organizations throughout South Florida and beyond. He has served on the Board of Trustees for the Public Health Trust/Jackson Health System and the University of Maryland, while also generously giving his time, resources, and leadership to causes that strengthen both the legal profession and the broader community.

Zarco’s personal philosophy — “Live, Learn, Love, and Laugh” — reflects his belief in balancing professional success with family, philanthropy, meaningful relationships, and life experiences. Outside the courtroom, he enjoys world travel, boating, architecture, art, cooking, real estate, sports, and hosting charitable and community gatherings with family and friends. A proud Miami resident, Zarco especially values spending time with his children and grandchildren and creating lasting memories with loved ones.

Languages Spoken

Fluent in English and Spanish

Experience

EXPERT TESTIMONY - Recent:

Expert Testimony | 11619896 - Vazquez Rivera, Alexis vs. Papa John's' Franchising (Morgan & Morgan)

Expert Testimony | Claim No. 2533883 | Assouline & Berlow P.A. v. Medrick | Our File No. 1080532 (Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP)

Expert Testimony | Berro Martinez Technologies, LLC et al v. Alex D. Sirulnik | HC File No.: 1048436 (Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP)

Expert Testimony | Claim No. 040372-040741-GB-01 (Rana Alaadin Abdalrhman Alhag as Personal Representative of the Estate of Ahmed Elraiah Ahmed Ali v. RaceTrac, Inc., and Sapphire Petroleum Inc d/b/a) CSK File: 1194.0005-00)

Industry Sector Expertise

LECTURES & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS - Recent:

“Navigating New Franchise Agreement Provisions in a Competitive Marketplace,” AAFD’s 2025 Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Conference (Washington DC, 2025)

“The Importance of Due Diligence When Buying a Franchise,” International Franchise Association (IFA) World Franchise Show (Miami Beach, FL, 2025)

“Prevalent Issues & Disputes Between Franchisors & Franchisees,” Independent Association of Home Instead Franchisees (IAOHIF) - (Denver, CO, 2025)

“The Impact of Private Equity on Your Franchise Relationship,” AAFD’s Franchisee Leadership Summit and Annual Conference (St. Louis, MO, May 2024)

“The Impact Private Equity Has On The Franchisor/Franchisee Relationship,” Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) Day Forum & Legal Symposium (Washington, DC, April 2024)

CFA DAY Forum, Panelist sharing his legal opinions on the Federal Trade Commission’s recent Request for Information about franchising (Washington, DC., 2023)

Speaker: McDonald’s National Owner’s Association (NOA) and National Franchisee Leadership Alliance (NFLA) on “Joint Employer Liability’s Benefits for Franchisees” (Houston, TX, March 2023)

Keynote Speaker: “It’s Our Time-Partner for Success” American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (Mesa, AZ, September 2022)

Webinar Speaker: “Encroachment and Cannibalization in Franchising” Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) (April 2022)

Closing Speaker: Coalition of Franchisee Associations (CFA) “Legal Issues during the Pandemic World” (November 2021)

Webinar Interview: 2 Part Series Attorney Talk on “Unfair Trade Practices in Franchise Law between Franchisor and Franchisee” and “Crucial Advice for Franchise Owners in America”

- Haute Living Magazine (September 2021)

Expert in these Jurisdictions

Areas Served:

https://www.zarcolaw.com/areas-served/

Bar & Court Admissions:

Florida

U.S. Supreme Court

Supreme Court of Florida

U.S. District Court District of Arizona

U.S. District Court District of Colorado

U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida

U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida

U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois

U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana

U.S. District Court District of Maryland

U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan

U.S. District Court Western District of New York

U.S. District Court Southern District of New York

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

Clients

https://www.zarcolaw.com/about/

Education

Awards