Robert Zarco is the Founder and Managing Partner of Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A., a nationally recognized law firm, known as “The Great Equalizers,” focused on franchise law, complex commercial litigation, and business disputes. For more than 35 years, Zarco has built a distinguished national and international reputation representing franchisees, franchisee associations, distributors, licensees, entrepreneurs, and businesses in high-stakes disputes, negotiations, trials, arbitrations, mediations, and business transactions.
Widely recognized as an accomplished trial lawyer, strategist, and negotiator, Zarco has devoted much of his career to leveling the playing field for franchisees and other business clients facing significantly larger and better-capitalized commercial adversaries. His approach combines litigation experience, business and financial acumen, and creative negotiation strategies designed to create leverage and achieve meaningful business solutions.
Zarco Einhorn Salkowski has represented franchisees from more than 500 franchise brands across 44+ states and 20+ countries, as well as more than 40 franchisee associations. The firm’s experience spans virtually every stage of the franchise relationship, including franchise acquisitions and development, system-wide disputes, defaults and terminations, renewals, transfers and exits, restructurings, workouts, encroachment and cannibalization, fraud and misrepresentation claims, breaches of contract and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and disputes arising under state and federal franchise laws.
The firm’s clients have included franchisees and franchisee associations within some of the world’s best-known franchise systems, including McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, Holiday Inn, Days Inn, Harley-Davidson, Planet Fitness, Massage Envy, Edible Arrangements, and many others.
Beyond franchise disputes, Zarco has extensive experience handling sophisticated commercial litigation and business disputes involving partnerships and shareholders, real estate, contracts, intellectual property, trademark infringement, executive employment matters, and other complex business controversies. He and the firm have represented clients in state and federal courts and in arbitration and mediation proceedings throughout the United States.
Zarco and his firm have been instrumental in significant franchise cases involving issues such as encroachment and cannibalization, fraud in the inducement, fraudulent concealment, contractual breaches, the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and violations of franchise statutes. His work extends beyond the courtroom: Zarco has also advocated before federal and state legislators for fair-franchising measures designed to protect franchisees’ rights and promote more balanced franchise relationships.
National Recognition
Zarco’s work has earned extensive recognition from the legal and franchise communities. Chambers USA 2026 ranks Robert Zarco Band 1 nationally in Franchising: Mainly Franchisee, and he has been individually recognized by Chambers since 2010. Zarco Einhorn Salkowski is ranked Band 2 nationally in the same category and has been recognized by Chambers since 2012.
Zarco has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation every year since 2006 and was named Best Lawyers® 2020 Franchise Law “Lawyer of the Year.” He has also received Franchise Times’ Legal Eagle Hall of Fame recognition and the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Franchisees & Dealers (AAFD).
Additional distinctions include selection as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and induction into the Order of Centurions Trial Lawyers Honor Society, as well as recognition by the Daily Business Review as a “Top Dealmaker of the Year” in Real Estate/Land.
Under Zarco’s leadership, Zarco Einhorn Salkowski has earned Best Law Firms® National Tier 1 recognition and numerous other national and regional distinctions. The firm’s attorneys are regularly recognized by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and leading franchise-industry publications.
Business Background and Education
Zarco’s effectiveness as a business lawyer is grounded in an unusually strong background in economics, finance, accounting, and entrepreneurship. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard University and subsequently worked as a financial analyst for General Motors in New York while attending Pace University’s Graduate School of Business MBA program. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Zarco started his first business at age seven and began investing his earnings in real estate while still in college. That combination of entrepreneurial experience and legal training continues to shape his practical, business-focused approach to client representation.
Zarco is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, and other federal courts through admission in individual matters.
Leadership and Community
Born in Cuba, Zarco immigrated to the United States with his family in 1961. He is fluent in Spanish and credits his family’s sacrifices, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to hard work as formative influences on his career.
Zarco has served in significant civic and institutional leadership roles, including on the Board of Trustees of the Public Health Trust/Jackson Health System and the University of Maryland. He has supported numerous civic, charitable, healthcare, educational, and community organizations throughout his career.
Outside the practice of law, Zarco is an avid yachtsman, automobile enthusiast, art collector, and amateur chef. He frequently combines these interests with his philanthropic activities and enjoys bringing clients, colleagues, friends, and community leaders together.
His personal mottos—“Work Hard, Play Hard” and “Live, Learn, Love, and Laugh”—reflect the energy, entrepreneurial outlook, and commitment to relationships that have defined both his life and more than three decades of legal practice.
To discuss a franchise or business matter, contact us at www.ZarcoLaw.com, call 800-299-4929, or email rzarco@zarcolaw.com.