Does Christies International Real Estate require franchisees to operate as a business entity?
Christies_International_Real_Estate Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- **6.8.
Entity Name Requirements.** You may not use the Marks, including the words "CHRISTIE'S" or "CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE" or any confusingly similar words, as any part of the
name of a partnership, corporation, LLC or other entity; however, you are required to operate under the trade name or DBA "CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE" with a suffix or prefix that uniquely identifies your Office as we approve before you may open your Business (the "Trade Name").
Your Trade Name must be displayed in accordance with our Operations Manual and the Brand Guidelines.
You must not change your Trade Name without our prior written consent.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 41–43)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Christies International Real Estate's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are not allowed to use the brand's name or any confusingly similar words as part of the name of a partnership, corporation, LLC, or other entity. However, franchisees are required to operate under the trade name or DBA "CHRISTIE'S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE" with a suffix or prefix that uniquely identifies their office, subject to the franchisor's approval, before opening their business.
This means that while franchisees cannot incorporate the brand's name into their legal business entity name, they must use the brand's name as their trade name or DBA, ensuring brand consistency in their market presence. The specific suffix or prefix used to identify the office must be approved by Christies International Real Estate, giving the franchisor control over the franchisee's branding and marketing materials.
This requirement ensures that all Christies International Real Estate offices operate under a consistent brand identity, which is common in franchising. Franchisees must adhere to the franchisor's guidelines for displaying their trade name, as outlined in the Operations Manual and Brand Guidelines. Franchisees cannot change their trade name without prior written consent from Christies International Real Estate, further reinforcing the franchisor's control over brand representation.