Who owns the Marks and the goodwill associated with them for Chesters?
Chesters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may use only the Marks we designate and may use them only in the manner we authorize.
You must obtain our prior written approval of all your proposed uses of the Marks.
Your right to use the Marks ends automatically when this Agreement expires or is earlier terminated.
We own all of the Marks and the goodwill associated with them and have the sole right to protect and defend them as we deem appropriate.
You may never contest the validity or our ownership of the Marks.
Unless expressly authorized to do so in writing, you agree you will not: (i) use or display the Marks in relation to any business or activity other than the operation of the Restaurant; (ii) use any trademark, trade name, service mark, logo, other commercial symbol, or trade dress, other than the Marks, as a primary identifier of the Restaurant; (iii) offer the products, equipment, services, supplies, or merchandise contemplated herein or any others, under the Marks, except as set forth in this Agreement; (iv) use or display the Marks in any form, manner, or location that has not been expressly authorized; (v) use or register any Mark, any part of any Mark, or anything similar, as part of your name or the name of any entity related to your activities or as part of any internet domain name, home page, social media site name, electronic address, user name, or like name; (vi) use any Mark in any manner that may injure or disparage us or our reputation; or (vii) take any action that may harm or jeopardize any Mark, or our ownership of such Mark, in any way.
Source: Item 23 — **RECEIPTS (FDD pages 48–197)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chesters's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Chesters International, LLC owns all of the Marks (trademarks and logos) and the goodwill associated with them. This means Chesters has the sole right to protect and defend these Marks as they deem appropriate.
As a franchisee, you are only allowed to use the Marks that Chesters designates and only in the manner that they authorize. You must get Chesters's prior written approval for all proposed uses of the Marks. Your right to use the Marks automatically ends when your Franchise Agreement expires or is terminated.
Furthermore, as a Chesters franchisee, you can never contest the validity or Chesters's ownership of the Marks. You are restricted from using the Marks in any way that is not expressly authorized, or in any manner that could harm or jeopardize the Marks or Chesters's reputation. This protects Chesters's brand identity and ensures consistent representation across all franchise locations.