What does 'Marks' refer to in the All County Franchise Agreement?

According to All County's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, "Marks" refers to the trade names, trademarks, service marks, and trade dress used to identify All County businesses and the services and products they offer, including the "ALL COUNTY" mark itself.

This definition is important for prospective franchisees because it clarifies what proprietary assets they are licensed to use under the franchise agreement. It also highlights that All County retains ownership of these Marks, and franchisees are granted a license to use them only during the term of the agreement. This means that upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must discontinue all use of the Marks.

The FDD also defines "Marks Standards" as the standards specified in the Operations Manual for Mark-bearing signs, advertising, and other items used in the franchised business. These standards ensure uniformity and consistency across all All County locations, maintaining brand integrity. Franchisees must adhere to these standards in all aspects of their business operations, from signage to advertising materials.

Furthermore, the franchise agreement stipulates that upon termination or expiration, franchisees must take actions to cancel any assumed names related to the Marks and return all materials containing the Marks to All County. They must also alter their business's appearance to clearly differentiate it from other All County businesses to avoid public confusion. This underscores the importance of the Marks to the All County brand and the franchisor's efforts to protect its intellectual property.