Who owns the Circle K Marks?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
s of distribution such as mail order, catalog, telemarketing or Internet to make sales to customers.
ITEM 13 TRADEMARKS
You are granted the right to operate a Convenience Store and, if applicable a Motor Fuel Business or Branded Business, under the Circle K Marks which are owned by our parent, Circle K Stores Inc. The Marks are licensed to TMC under a license agreement with Circle K Stores Inc. dated March 30, 2009, that has successive one-year terms. Circle K Stores Inc. has the right to terminate the license agreement at any time if TMC fails or neglects to perform its obligations regarding the quality usage standards of the trademarks, following a 30-day right-to-cure period. You may use the Marks only in the manner authorized and permitted by us, and only under the terms of the Convenience Store Franchise Agreement, Motor Fuel Agreement and/or Branding Agreement. By "Marks," we mean all trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, and commercial symbols used to identify the Store. We may change, modify, or discontinue any of the Marks listed below.
The following Marks are registered on the Principal Register in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. All required affidavits and renewals for the registered trademarks listed below have been filed.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 75–76)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Circle K's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Circle K Stores Inc., the parent company, owns the Circle K Marks. TMC, the franchisor, is granted the right to operate a Convenience Store and, if applicable, a Motor Fuel Business or Branded Business, under the Circle K Marks. TMC's right to use the marks is established through a license agreement with Circle K Stores Inc., dated March 30, 2009, which includes successive one-year terms.
Circle K Stores Inc. retains the right to terminate the license agreement if TMC fails to meet the quality usage standards of the trademarks, provided a 30-day period is given to correct the issue. Franchisees are permitted to use the Marks only as authorized by Circle K and under the terms of the Convenience Store Franchise Agreement, Motor Fuel Agreement, or Branding Agreement. The term "Marks" encompasses all trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, and commercial symbols used to identify the store, and Circle K reserves the right to change, modify, or discontinue any of these Marks.
The FDD lists several registered Circle K Marks, including the word mark "Circle K" registered on March 24, 1981, under registration number 1,149, 199, and other Circle K designs registered on May 2, 2017, and February 13, 2018. Franchisees must adhere to Circle K's guidelines for using the Marks, as outlined in various agreements and manuals, and must notify Circle K of any infringement or challenges to the use of the Marks. Circle K has the right to manage disputes concerning the Marks, and while franchisees are generally responsible for their legal expenses in trademark actions, Circle K will defend and indemnify franchisees if the claim arises from their compliant use of the Marks under their franchise agreement.