What is the name of the company that holds all the rights and marks for Coffee News worldwide?
Coffee_News Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
On October 21, 2008, William Buckley purchased 2703203 Manitoba, Inc. located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and 2703203 Manitoba, Inc. became our affiliate. This company holds all the rights and marks for Coffee News worldwide and holds all agreements with publishers of Coffee News in Canada and 6 other countries.
The shares of 2703203 Manitoba, Inc. are 100% owned by William A. Buckley. Coffee News USA, Inc. shares are 45% owned by William A. Buckley, 45% owned by Sue-Ann Buckley and 10% owned by John B. Buckley.The shares of Coffee News Printing, LLC are 51% owned by William A. Buckley and 49% owned by Garrett Guernsey, the Chief Financial Officer of Coffee News USA, Inc.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 7–9)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Coffee News Franchise Disclosure Document, the company that holds all the rights and marks for Coffee News worldwide is 2703203 Manitoba, Inc. This entity also holds all agreements with Coffee News publishers in Canada and six other countries. William Buckley purchased 2703203 Manitoba, Inc. on October 21, 2008, making it an affiliate of Coffee News USA, Inc.
For a prospective Coffee News franchisee, this means that while they are franchising with Coffee News USA, Inc., the ultimate control of the Coffee News brand and its intellectual property resides with 2703203 Manitoba, Inc. This is a common arrangement in franchising, where a parent company or affiliate owns the trademarks and licenses them to the operating company.
It's also relevant to note that William A. Buckley 100% owns the shares of 2703203 Manitoba, Inc. while he owns 45% of Coffee News USA, Inc. with Sue-Ann Buckley also owning 45% and John B. Buckley owning 10%. This ownership structure highlights that while Coffee News USA, Inc. manages the Coffee News franchise within the United States, the overarching brand control is held by a separate entity under the full ownership of William A. Buckley. Franchisees should be aware of this structure and how it might affect long-term brand decisions and international strategies.