Kevin E. Maher

Kevin routinely advises and counsels clients in various industries with respect to the myriad challenges and opportunities presented by expanding, acquiring, franchising, licensing, selling and financing brands and businesses on an international level.

• Represents several leading franchised brands (including casual dining, fast casual and quick service restaurants, entertainment centers, hotels, fitness clubs, car rental companies, retail stores and service businesses) in their international franchise, joint venture and other international matters on a global level.
• Represented leading coffeehouse chain in connection with the restructuring and sale of a majority stake in its China business, converting over 8,000 stores from company-owned to franchised.
• Advised franchised brands in connection with the restructuring of large, multijurisdictional franchisees preparing to undergo initial public offerings, private equity investments, sales or other strategic transactions.
• Assists major hotel brands expanding internationally via franchising in connection with negotiating and documenting franchise transactions, conducting local due diligence and regulatory compliance.
• Advised major franchised brands in connection with international franchisees undergoing bankruptcy or other insolvency proceedings, including the sale of franchise rights through international insolvency proceedings, providing short term liquidity facilities, and terminating agreements during the course of insolvency proceedings.
• Assisted leading quick service restaurant brand in opening new markets for company-owned and direct franchised locations.
• Advised multiple major consumer brands in analyzing and implementing offshore IP holding structures.
• Advised virtual kitchen operator with their global expansion and licensing structures.
• Represented private investors in the acquisition, financings, refinancing and sale of multiple ultra-luxury resorts in Latin America.
• Assisted multiple major restaurant brands in conducting brand protection initiatives, including market testing events and pop-up stores.
• Advised multiple clients with respect to multijurisdictional secured lending facilities and related matters.
• Assists multinational corporations in coordinating global leasing portfolio, including new leases, renewals and terminations throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America.
• Advised multiple popular domestic retail store concepts with expanding internationally by licensing and franchising.
• Advised multiple multilevel marketing companies with establishing global footprints, including company formation, labor matters, tax planning, IP protection, regulatory compliance, leasing and commercial contract matters.
• Assisted various clients with respect to default, work-out, termination and de-identification of international franchisees and related dispute resolution proceedings in multiple jurisdictions.

• Chambers Global, Franchising, 2023-2026
• Chambers USA, Franchising, 2021-2026
• Lexology Index Thought Leader, Franchising, 2020-2025
• Legal Eagle, Franchise Times, 2020-2026
• Best Lawyers in America, Franchising
• Global Attorney of the Year, Global Chamber Dallas
• Order of the Coif