factual

Is a Bojangles franchisee permitted to use proprietary marks in any manner they choose?

Bojangles Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

nd the standards and specifications attendant thereto which underlie the goodwill associated with and symbolized by the Proprietary Marks.

  • B. With respect to Franchisee's licensed use of the Proprietary Marks pursuant to this Agreement, Franchisee agrees that:
  • (1) Franchisee shall use only the Proprietary Marks designated by Franchisor, and shall use them only in the manner authorized and permitted by Franchisor;
  • (2) Franchisee shall use the Proprietary Marks only for the operation of the Franchised Business and only at the location authorized hereunder, or in advertising for the Franchised Business;
  • (3) Unless otherwise authorized or required by Franchisor in writing, Franchisee shall operate and advertise the Franchised Business only under the name "BOJANGLES®" Restaurant, "BOJANGLES'®" Restaurant or "BOJANGLES' FAMOUS CHICKEN 'N BISCUITS®" Restaurant, as specified by Franchisor, without prefix or suffix;

  • (4) During the term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall identify itself as the owner of the Franchised Business in conjunction with any use of the Proprietary Marks, including, but not limited to, uses on invoices, order forms, receipts, and contracts, and shall display a notice to that effect in such content and form and at such conspicuous locations on the premises of the Franchised Business as Franchisor may designate in writing;
  • (5) Franchisee's right to use the Proprietary Marks is limited to the term of this Agreement and shall automatically cease upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement and is limited to such uses as are authorized under this Agreement, and any unauthorized use thereof, including, but not limited to, sublicensing a use of the Proprietary Marks, shall constitute an infringement of Franchisor's rights and a default under this Agreement;
  • (6) During the term of this Agreement and continuing after its expiration or earlier termination, Franchisee shall not use the Proprietary Marks to incur any obligation or indebtedness on behalf of Franchisor:
  • (7) During the term of this Agreement and continuing after its expiration or earlier termination, Franchisee shall not use the Proprietary Marks as part of its corporate or other legal name;
  • (8) Franchisee shall comply with Franchisor's instructions in filing and maintaining the requisite trade name or fictitious name registrations, and shall execute any documents deemed necessary by Franchisor or its counsel to obtain protection for the Proprietary Marks or to maintain their continued validity and enforceability; and
  • (9) In the event that litigation involving the Proprietary Marks is instituted or threatened against Franchisee, Franchisee shall promptly notify Franchisor. Franchisor shall conduct the defense, and bear the expense of such litigation, but shall be entitled to settle or otherwise dispose of the litigation on terms which, in its sole discretion, it may decide upon. Franchisee shall cooperate fully with Franchisor in defending or settling such litigation.
    • C. Franchisee expressly understands and acknowledges that:
  • (1) Franchisor is the owner of all right, title and interest in and to the Proprietary Marks and the goodwill associated with and symbolized by them;
  • (2) The Proprietary Marks are valid and serve to identify the System and those who are authorized to operate under the System;
  • (3) Franchisee shall not directly or indirectly contest the validity or Franchisor's ownership of the Proprietary Marks;
  • (4) Franchisee's use of the Proprietary Marks pursuant to this Agreement does not give Franchisee any ownership interest or other interest in or to the Proprietary Marks, except pursuant to the license granted by this Agreement;
  • (5) Any and all goodwill arising from Franchisee's use of the Proprietary Marks in its franchised operation under the System shall inure solely and exclusively to Franchisor's

benefit, and upon expiration or termination of this Agreement and the license herein granted, no monetary amount shall be assigned to Franchisee as attributable to any goodwill associated with Franchisee's use of the System or the Proprietary Marks;

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 82–573)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Bojangles's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee's use of the Proprietary Marks is strictly controlled. Bojangles franchisees can only use the Proprietary Marks designated by Bojangles, and only in the manner authorized and permitted. Franchisees are allowed to use the Proprietary Marks only for the operation of the Franchised Business and only at the authorized location, or in advertising for the Franchised Business. Unless Bojangles authorizes otherwise in writing, franchisees must operate and advertise the Franchised Business only under the name "BOJANGLES® Restaurant," "BOJANGLES'® Restaurant" or "BOJANGLES' FAMOUS CHICKEN 'N BISCUITS® Restaurant," as specified by Bojangles, without prefix or suffix.

Bojangles requires franchisees to identify themselves as the owner of the Franchised Business in conjunction with any use of the Proprietary Marks, including on invoices, order forms, receipts, and contracts. They must also display a notice to that effect in such content and form and at conspicuous locations on the premises of the Franchised Business as Bojangles may designate in writing. The right to use the Proprietary Marks is limited to the term of the Franchise Agreement and automatically ceases upon expiration or earlier termination.

Furthermore, franchisees cannot use the Proprietary Marks to incur any obligation or indebtedness on behalf of Bojangles, nor can they use the Proprietary Marks as part of their corporate or other legal name. Franchisees must comply with Bojangles's instructions in filing and maintaining the requisite trade name or fictitious name registrations and must execute any documents deemed necessary by Bojangles to obtain protection for the Proprietary Marks or to maintain their continued validity and enforceability. Any unauthorized use of the Proprietary Marks, including sublicensing, constitutes an infringement of Bojangles's rights and a default under the Franchise Agreement.

In the event of litigation involving the Proprietary Marks, the franchisee must promptly notify Bojangles. Bojangles will conduct the defense and bear the expense of such litigation but is entitled to settle or otherwise dispose of the litigation on terms it decides upon. The franchisee must cooperate fully with Bojangles in defending or settling such litigation. All goodwill arising from the franchisee's use of the Proprietary Marks in its franchised operation inures solely and exclusively to Bojangles's benefit. Upon expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, no monetary amount will be assigned to the franchisee as attributable to any goodwill associated with the franchisee's use of the Proprietary Marks.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.