Entrepreneur Magazine again ranked Akerman among its Top Franchise Suppliers for 2026, recognizing the firm in the Legal Services category. This annual ranking identifies the leading service providers helping franchise brands successfully launch, scale, and protect their businesses.
The Top Franchise Suppliers list is based on a survey of more than 1,000 franchisors, who rate the service providers they use. The top-scoring providers in each of 13 categories, including Legal Services, are included in the ranking. This distinction reflects Akerman's client-focused approach and experience guiding clients through every phase of the franchise lifecycle, from entity structuring, regulatory compliance, and M&A to dispute resolution and brand protection.
With one of the largest and most experienced franchise teams in the United States, Akerman advises many of the nation's most prominent franchise brands, as well as emerging concepts poised for growth. The firm's lawyers assist franchise companies of all sizes as they confront numerous legal challenges, from federal, state, and international laws and regulations to the protection of trademarks and other intellectual property. The team has extensive experience handling mergers and acquisitions for both franchisors and multi-unit franchisees. They also guide clients through evolving issues such as brand standards, product safety, joint employer, officer and vicarious liability, cybersecurity, encroachment, antitrust, and unfair competition. Akerman assists clients with all phases of franchising, licensing, and distribution in the United States, and in association with law firms in other countries, around the world.