Who owns the U.S. utility patents that Chick Fil A franchisees will be licensed to use?
Chick_Fil_A Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
A does not know of any superior prior rights or infringing uses that could materially affect your use of CFA Properties' trademarks.
Item 14
PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
CFA Properties owns a number of issued U.S. utility patents relating to restaurant operations which you will be licensed to use in the operation of your franchised Chick-fil-A Restaurant business:
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Source: Item 14 — Patents, Copyrights, and Proprietary Information (FDD pages 64–69)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chick Fil A's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, CFA Properties owns the U.S. utility patents related to restaurant operations that Chick Fil A franchisees will be licensed to use. Additionally, CFA Properties owns pending U.S. and PCT applications for utility patents that franchisees will also be licensed to use.
This means that while Chick Fil A franchisees will have the right to use these patents in their restaurant operations, they do not own the patents themselves. CFA Properties retains ownership and control over these patents. This is a common arrangement in franchising, where the franchisor (or an affiliated entity) owns the intellectual property and grants franchisees the right to use it.
Chick Fil A has the sole right to protect and enforce any or all of CFA Properties' patents at Chick Fil A's own expense. Franchisees must notify Chick Fil A immediately if they learn about possible infringement of a CFA Properties patent. Upon termination of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must immediately cease all use of CFA Properties' patents and/or the inventions of patent applications.