Is a Chicken Guy franchisee permitted to use variations of the Proprietary Marks?
Chicken_Guy Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must follow our rules when you use our Proprietary Marks. You may not use the Proprietary Marks on any vehicles without our prior written approval. You may not modify the Proprietary Marks in any manner in connection with your display of, or creation or duplication of materials bearing, the Proprietary Marks. You may not use the Proprietary Marks or any variations of the Proprietary Marks or marks or names confusingly similar to the Proprietary Marks in any manner not authorized by Chicken Guy or in any corporate, limited liability company or partnership name and may not use any other trade names, service marks or trademarks in conjunction with the Franchised Restaurant. You must use the symbol ® with all registered marks and the symbol ™ with all pending registrations or other marks. You may not use the Proprietary Marks in connection with the sale of any unauthorized products or services or in any manner not authorized in writing by us.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 36–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Chicken Guy's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are not permitted to use variations of the Proprietary Marks. The franchise agreement strictly prohibits franchisees from modifying the Proprietary Marks in any manner when displaying, creating, or duplicating materials that bear the marks.
This restriction extends to any use not explicitly authorized by Chicken Guy. Franchisees are also barred from using the Proprietary Marks, or any confusingly similar variations, in corporate, limited liability company, or partnership names. Furthermore, franchisees cannot use other trade names, service marks, or trademarks in conjunction with the franchised restaurant without authorization.
These regulations are typical in franchising, as franchisors like Chicken Guy need to protect their brand identity and ensure consistent representation across all franchise locations. Unauthorized use or modification of trademarks can dilute the brand's value and create confusion among customers. Franchisees must adhere to these rules to maintain the integrity of the Chicken Guy brand and avoid potential legal issues.