What was the registration number for the associated logo for 'Papa Ray's Pizza & Wings' for Aw?
Aw Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
On July 26, 2011, our affiliate Papa Ray's Pizza 1, Inc. obtained a service mark registration on the Principal Register of the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO") for "Papa Ray's Pizza & Wings" (Registration No. 4001654) and an associated logo (Registration No. 4001655). Subsequently a cancellation proceeding was initiated by U.S.A. Famous Original Ray's Licensing Corp. for cancellation of these marks based on its ownership and use of the mark Famous Original Ray's Pizza. On November 26, 2013, our affiliate's registrations for the Papa Ray's Pizza & Wings mark and logo was cancelled by the PTO. We do not have a federal registration for our principal trademark. Therefore, our trademark does not have many legal benefits and rights as a federally registered trademark. If our right to use the trademark is challenged, you may have to change to an alternative trademark, which may increase your expenses. Currently, the mark Famous Original Ray's Pizza owned by U.S.A Famous Original Ray's Licensing Corp. is only in use in New York. We do not intend to offer and sell franchises in New York.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 30–32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Aw's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the initial registration number for the 'Papa Ray's Pizza & Wings' logo was 4001655. This registration was obtained by Aw's affiliate, Papa Ray's Pizza 1, Inc., on July 26, 2011. However, this registration was later canceled on November 26, 2013, following a cancellation proceeding initiated by U.S.A. Famous Original Ray's Licensing Corp. based on their ownership and use of the mark 'Famous Original Ray's Pizza'.
Currently, Aw does not have a federal registration for its principal trademark, 'Papa Ray's Pizza & Wings'. This lack of federal registration means that Aw's trademark does not have as many legal benefits and rights as a federally registered trademark. This poses a risk to potential franchisees, as it means that if Aw's right to use the trademark is challenged, franchisees may be required to change to an alternative trademark, potentially increasing their expenses.
It is important to note that the mark 'Famous Original Ray's Pizza' is currently only in use in New York, and Aw states that they do not intend to offer and sell franchises in New York. However, the absence of a federal trademark registration for 'Papa Ray's Pizza & Wings' means that Aw franchisees may face challenges related to trademark protection and potential infringement claims, which could impact their business operations and profitability.