Can the Antioch Pizza Shop franchisee use any signage they want?
Antioch_Pizza_Shop Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
een Wix Franchise, Inc., an Illinois corporation ("Franchisor"), with a business address at 1368 Bayshore Drive, Antioch, Illinois 60002, and, a, with a business address at ("Franchisee").
RECITALS
- A. Franchisor has established a method and system for the development and operation of Antioch Pizza Shop™ restaurants (each, a "Restaurant"), which includes, without limitation: the mark Antioch Pizza Shop™, and related names, trademarks, service marks, logos, copyrights, designs, emblems, slogans, commercial symbols and other indicia and associated goodwill now or hereafter designated for use by Franchisor in connection with the System and any and all revisions, modifications and additions thereto, whether or not recorded or registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any other local, state, federal or foreign agency, registrar or body (the "Marks"); distinctive building designs, decor, color schemes and trade dress and signage; an operations manual incorporating required standards, procedures, policies, and techniques; secret food recipes; and advertising, marketing, and promotional programs (the "System").
- B. Franchisor desires to grant to Franchisee, and Franchisee desires to obtain from Franchisor, the right to establish and operate a single Restaurant using the Marks in accordance with the System.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD pages 56–57)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Antioch Pizza Shop FDD, franchisees do not have complete autonomy over signage. The franchise agreement specifies that Antioch Pizza Shop's system includes "distinctive building designs, decor, color schemes and trade dress and signage." This indicates that signage is a component of the standardized brand presentation.
To protect the integrity of the brand's image, Antioch Pizza Shop requires franchisee adherence to approved standards for materials using the company's marks. Specifically, the FDD states that "all articles such as containers, cartons, bags, menus, napkins and other paper goods, packaging, point of sale advertising and promotional materials and products, shall be subject to approval by Franchisor as to quality and design and shall bear trademarks, logos and/or slogans approved by Franchisor." This extends to vehicle wraps for food trucks, which must meet Antioch Pizza Shop's standards for type, color, size, design, and usage of the marks, with written approval required before installation.
In practical terms, this means a franchisee must use signage and promotional materials that align with the franchisor's established brand standards. Any deviation from these standards would require approval from Antioch Pizza Shop. This is a common practice in franchising, ensuring brand consistency across all locations. A prospective franchisee should discuss specific signage options and approval processes with Antioch Pizza Shop to fully understand these requirements.