Does Beggars Pizza claim common law rights to any trade and service marks?

According to Beggars Pizza's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, they claim common law rights to the trade and service marks that they license to franchisees. Beggars Pizza states that they have filed all required affidavits for the Proprietary Marks.

This means that while Beggars Pizza has registered trademarks, they also assert rights to unregistered marks based on their usage in commerce. Common law trademark rights arise automatically from the use of a mark to identify and distinguish goods or services. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors often develop brand recognition through consistent use of their marks over time.

As a franchisee, you are licensed to use these marks, but you must adhere to Beggars Pizza's standards. You are also required to notify Beggars Pizza of any suspected unauthorized use of the Proprietary Marks or any challenges to their validity. Beggars Pizza retains the sole right to control any legal proceedings involving the Proprietary Marks, including settlements. This protects the brand's image and reputation, but it also means franchisees have limited control over trademark-related legal matters.