What is Crave Cookies obligated to do regarding the franchisee's rights to use trademarks in Minnesota?
Crave_Cookies Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The franchisor will protect the franchisee's rights to use the trademarks, service marks, trade names, logotypes or other commercial symbols or indemnify the franchisee from any loss, costs or expenses arising out of any claim, suit or demand regarding the use of the name.
- Minnesota considers it unfair to not protect the franchisee's right to use the trademarks. Refer to Minnesota Statues, Section 80C.12, Subd. 1(g).
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 47–194)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave Cookies' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor has specific obligations to protect a franchisee's trademark rights in Minnesota. The Minnesota Addendum states that Crave Cookies will protect the franchisee's rights to use trademarks, service marks, trade names, logotypes, or other commercial symbols.
Specifically, Crave Cookies is obligated to indemnify the franchisee from any losses, costs, or expenses that arise from claims, suits, or demands related to the use of the brand's name. This means that if a third party sues a Crave Cookies franchisee in Minnesota over trademark infringement related to the use of the Crave Cookies name or logo, Crave Cookies is responsible for covering the franchisee's legal costs and any resulting damages.
This protection is considered essential under Minnesota law, as the addendum explicitly mentions that Minnesota considers it unfair for a franchisor not to protect a franchisee's right to use the trademarks. This obligation is rooted in Minnesota Statutes, Section 80C.12, Subd. 1(g). This clause reinforces the importance of trademark protection for franchisees operating in Minnesota and highlights Crave Cookies' responsibility in upholding these rights.