Robert F. Salkowski

Robert Salkowski is a nationally recognized franchise lawyer, sophisticated trial lawyer, and strategic business advocate with more than thirty years of experience representing business owners, franchisees, franchisee associations, and investors in some of the most significant and complex disputes in the franchise industry. His practice focuses on franchise law, complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution, and he has successfully represented clients in high-stakes matters involving wrongful termination and nonrenewal, encroachment, franchise sales and transfers, system-wide disputes, fiduciary duty claims, unfair competition, fraud, business torts, and contract litigation.

Robert joined Zarco Einhorn Salkowski, P.A. in 1995. In that time, Robert has built a national reputation as one of the leading advocates for franchisees and franchisee organizations. He serves as trusted counsel to individual franchise owners, multi-unit operators, franchisee advisory councils, and some of the nation’s largest and most influential franchisee associations. His clients operate across a broad spectrum of franchise and distribution industries, including quick-service and full-service restaurants, hospitality and lodging, hotels, automotive dealerships and automotive service systems, retail concepts, healthcare and wellness brands, home and business services, education, and other franchise and dealer networks. He advises clients on issues ranging from system-wide operational changes and franchisor initiatives to collective negotiations, association governance, litigation strategy, and dispute resolution.

Over the course of his career, Robert has represented franchisees and franchisee associations in disputes involving many of the world’s largest franchise systems, helping to shape outcomes that have affected entire franchise networks and the broader franchise industry.

Prior to joining the firm, Robert practiced in the areas of complex commercial litigation and bankruptcy, representing creditors, trustees, and business entities in insolvency-related matters. He also served as counsel to a publicly traded investment banking firm, providing him with a unique perspective on the financial and operational issues that frequently arise in complex business disputes.

A respected thought leader in franchise law, Robert is a frequent speaker and author on franchise litigation, trial advocacy, arbitration, and dispute resolution. He is regularly invited to present at the industry’s most prominent conferences, including those sponsored by the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, the International Franchise Association Legal Symposium and Annual Convention, and the IBA/IFA Joint Conference. His presentations have addressed topics such as developing and presenting key trial evidence, effective mediation strategies in franchise disputes, damages analysis, franchise relationship laws, and the unique challenges of cross-border franchise litigation and arbitration.

Throughout his career, Robert has been committed to protecting the rights and investments of entrepreneurs and franchisees, helping clients navigate disputes that often define the future of their businesses. His combination of trial experience, strategic judgment, and deep knowledge of franchise systems has made him a trusted advisor to franchise owners and franchisee organizations across the country and around the world.

Robert’s professional accomplishments have earned widespread recognition from clients, peers, and industry organizations. He is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America and has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for both Franchise Law and Commercial Litigation since 2006. In 2014, he was named Best Lawyers’ “Lawyer of the Year" in Franchise Law. He holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating, the highest distinction for legal ability and ethical standards, and has been selected to Florida Super Lawyers since 2012. He has been ranked by Chambers USA in Franchising, recognized by Who’s Who Legal as a Global Leader in Franchise Law since 2015, and inducted into the Franchise Times Legal Eagles Hall of Fame. In 2023, Business Today named him one of the Top 10 Influential Franchisee Lawyers in the United States.