What symbol must a Chicken Guy franchisee use with all pending registrations or other 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 must use specific symbols when using the company's proprietary marks. For registered marks, the franchisee is required to use the symbol '®'. When dealing with pending registrations or other marks that are not yet officially registered, the franchisee must use the symbol '™'.
This requirement ensures that Chicken Guy maintains consistent branding and protects its trademarks. Using the correct symbols helps to inform the public and competitors about the status of Chicken Guy's trademarks, indicating which marks are officially registered and which are still in the process of registration. This is a standard practice in franchising to safeguard the brand's intellectual property.
Failure to adhere to these guidelines could potentially lead to legal issues or damage the brand's reputation. Therefore, it is crucial for a prospective Chicken Guy franchisee to understand and follow these trademark usage rules diligently as part of their franchise agreement.