Profile
Alexander advises domestic and international franchisors and licensors and their investors on transactional and regulatory matters involving franchise systems and brands. He is recognized by Chambers & Partners as one of the leading franchise attorneys in the United States. His practice focuses on franchise system development and management, franchise and business opportunity regulatory compliance, and franchise-related mergers and acquisitions and financing transactions. His clients range from emerging start-up concepts to leading global brands in a broad range of industries, including the restaurant, health and fitness, retail, education, staffing, and residential and commercial services industries.
Alexander’s franchise counseling practice focuses on advising franchisors on developing, improving, and expanding their franchise systems, including preparing Franchise Disclosure Documents, franchise and master franchise agreements, and other related agreements, negotiating agreements and transactions, managing franchisee and supplier relationships, and developing and implementing system standards and processes intended to build value and mitigate risk. He has deep experience counseling clients on franchise relationship matters, including franchise transfers, renewals, defaults, terminations, restructurings, workouts, and disputes.
Alexander’s regulatory practice focuses on counseling clients on compliance with federal and state franchise and business opportunity laws, including advising them on potential alternative structures and exemption strategies. He also assists clients in developing and implementing robust franchise sales compliance programs and resolving any compliance issues.
Alexander’s mergers and acquisitions practice focuses on advising private equity groups, family offices, and other strategic investors, as well as franchisors, on the purchase and sale of franchise systems. He also has wide-ranging experience advising clients on whole business securitizations involving franchisors, as well as other financing arrangements and strategic business transactions.
Concentrations
- Developing, maintaining, and improving franchise programs, including Franchise Disclosure Documents, franchise agreements, master franchise agreements, development agreements, and related documents
- Providing practical, strategic advice regarding the operation of franchise systems and the management of the franchisor-franchisee relationship
- Advising private equity groups, family offices, and other investors regarding the acquisition, sale, and operation of franchise systems
- Counseling franchisors and their investors regarding whole business securitizations of franchisors
Capabilities
Experience
- Serve as franchise counsel to a franchise portfolio company with multiple quick service restaurant brands.
- Serve as franchise counsel to a franchise portfolio company with several leading service brands.
- Serve as franchise counsel to a franchise portfolio company with five emerging fitness brands.
- Serve as franchise counsel with respect to all international franchising matters to one of the largest global retailers.
- Serve as franchise counsel to one of the leading childhood education franchisors.
- Represent numerous startup franchise companies in structuring their franchise programs.
- Represented a private equity firm in its $9 billion acquisition of the largest QSR concept.°
- Represented a private equity firm in its $8 billion acquisition of one of the largest sandwich chains.°
- Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of one of the largest franchise portfolio companies in the service industry.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Tuneski prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
- Certified Franchise Executive, International Franchise Association, 2015
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, Franchising, 2018-2026
- “Up and Coming,” Franchising, 2018-2019
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Franchise Law, 2023-2027
- Listed, Franchise Times, “Legal Eagle,” 2014-2026
- Awarded, Franchise Times “Legal Eagle” Hall of Fame, 2024
- Listed, 1851 Franchise magazine, “Franchise Legal Players,” 2017-2021 and 2024
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America®, 2023-2026
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers, 2015-2026
- Member, American Bar Association, Forum on Franchising
- Membership Committee, 2026
- Nominating Committee, 2018
- Technology Committee, 2016-2017
- Program Committee, 2015-2016
- Young Lawyers Committee, 2012-2014
- Member, International Franchise Association
Credentials
- Certificate in Franchise Management, Georgetown University, 2015
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J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2003
- Order of the Coif
- Editorial Board Member, Virginia Law Review
- B.A., with Distinction, Cornell University, 2000
- District of Columbia
- Virginia