Abhishek Dubé
Biography
Abhishek Dubé ("Abhi") assists clients with complex franchise, distribution and license transactions, including U.S., international and M&A. He has experience across various industries including food and beverage, hospitality, retail, fitness, automotive, and alcohol. Abhi has developed and assisted new and existing franchise programs and negotiated franchise and distribution transactions for the leading global brands.
Abhi is a Certified Franchise Executive with extensive involvement in the franchise industry. He holds several leadership positions and is recognized for his significant contributions. He actively advocates for diversity initiatives within the legal and franchise sectors.
Practice Focus
Abhi's practice is focused on US and international franchising, licensing and distribution, covering transactional and regulatory matters. He has experience with domestic and cross-border transactions, including joint ventures, U.S. and international franchise registration, disclosure, and relationship matters, exemptions-based franchising, and mergers and acquisitions. Abhi has advised PE firms on franchise system acquisitions and sales, and provided strategic support to the world's largest franchise brands in international M&A and re-franchise initiatives. His work encompasses global expansion across the world, including Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, the CIS, the GCC, MENA, and Australia/Oceania.
Representative Legal Matters
- Represents leading franchised brands globally, including restaurants, entertainment centers, hotels, fitness clubs, car rentals, retail stores, and service businesses in U.S. and international franchise matters.
- Represents the world's largest franchise brand in complex and high-profile worldwide strategic transactions, including global expansion, sales, market exits, re-franchising, as well as navigating international regulatory laws and franchisee relationships.
- Represents top fast casual restaurant chains in airport licensing and franchising expansion matters.
- Represents global hotel brands in complex franchise and licensing expansion efforts in Asia.
- Represented a multinational technology company in acquiring an industry-leading technology company and handling ongoing franchise and licensing compliance matters worldwide.
- Represented a private equity company in acquiring a major water treatment company that operates under a franchise/dealership model.
- Provided guidance to a virtual kitchen operator on global expansion and licensing structures.
Professional Honors
- Certified Franchise Executive
- D Magazine Best Lawyers in Dallas: Franchise Law, 2023-2025
- Franchise Times "Legal Eagle," 2015-2025
- Super Lawyers Rising Star: Franchise/Dealership, Virginia and Washington, DC, 2021; Texas, 2021-2025
- Who's Who Legal: Franchise, 2020-2025
Professional Associations and Memberships
- ABA Forum on Franchising, International Division - Director (2024-Present); Steering Committee (2020-2024)
- International Franchise Association, Diversity Institute - Board Member (2020-Present)
- Franchise Business Network (Dallas) - Steering Committee (2021-Present); Legal Symposium Task Force (2024-Present)
- International Bar Association - Member
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity - Fellow
- South Asian Bar Association Dallas - President (2024-Present)
Admissions
- District of Columbia~United States
- Indiana~United States
- Texas~United States
- Virginia~United States
Education
- Indiana University (LL.M., International Business) (2010)
- Indiana University (J.D.) (2009)
- Carnegie Mellon University (B.S., Finance) (2005)
Languages
- English
- Hindi
Baker & McKenzie LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership organized under the laws of the State of Illinois (USA) and is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Verein organized under the laws of Switzerland.