What is the duration of the License Agreement between Churchs Chicken and Cajun Funding for the use of Proprietary Marks?
Churchs_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Proprietary Marks are owned by our wholly-owned subsidiary Cajun Funding. Under a License Agreement with Cajun Funding, we have the right to use and license others to use the Proprietary Marks for a 99 year term. In addition to other registered trademarks, Cajun Funding has registered the following principal trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the Principal Register, and all required affidavits of continued use have been filed and accepted:
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 45–47)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Churchs Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the License Agreement between Cajun Funding (the owner of the Proprietary Marks) and Churchs Chicken grants Churchs Chicken the right to use and license others to use the Proprietary Marks for a term of 99 years. This agreement allows Churchs Chicken to operate and franchise restaurants under the System and Proprietary Marks.
This 99-year term is a significant benefit for prospective franchisees. It ensures that Churchs Chicken has long-term access to the brand's trademarks, which are essential for attracting customers and maintaining brand recognition. This long-term agreement provides stability and reduces the risk that the franchisor will lose the right to use the brand's trademarks, which could negatively impact franchisees.
It is important to note that while Churchs Chicken has the right to use the Proprietary Marks for 99 years, franchisees' rights to use the marks are governed by the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees must use the Proprietary Marks only at the Restaurant and in the way specified in the Franchise Agreement, Manuals, or otherwise in writing. Any unauthorized use of the Proprietary Marks may be a violation of the Franchise Agreement and an infringement on Churchs Chicken's trademarks and service marks.