Does the Dog Haus franchisor have any agreements that limit their use of trademarks?
Dog_Haus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
On February 14, 2022, we entered into an agreement with The Absolut Company Aktiebolag regarding our use of The Absolute Brands mark. Under that Agreement, we agreed to certain restrictions on the use of the mark. You agree to comply with our usage requirements.
On February 19, 2013, the Operating Company and Southeast Food Systems, Inc. entered into a letter agreement pursuant to which the Operating Company agreed (i) not to advertise or offer services in or to individuals located in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia; (ii) to cease all use of its logo incorporating a hot dog or sausage shape other than in pre-existing display materials used only at thenexisting restaurant locations; (iii) to refrain from using the trade dress of Southwest Food Systems, Inc., which includes elements such as a registered fire hydrant trash cans along with the dog house design of their restaurants; (iv) not to use dog names, including, but not limited to, the marks Bull-Dog, Boxer Dog, Collie Dog, Hound-Dog, Puppy Dog, Ol' Yallow, German Shepard or Chihuahua for the names of food items at its restaurants; and (v) in the event the Operating Company adopts a new logo design in the future, the new logo would not include a dog house, hot dog or sausage image and the difference in the word portions of the respective marks should be emphasized. With the exception of the letter agreement described above, we are not aware of any agreements currently in effect that significantly limit our rights to use or license the use of the principal trademarks that are material to the franchise.
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 57–60)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are agreements that limit their use of trademarks. Specifically, Dog Haus entered into an agreement with The Absolut Company Aktiebolag on February 14, 2022, regarding the use of The Absolute Brands mark, which includes certain restrictions. Franchisees must comply with Dog Haus's usage requirements for this mark.
Additionally, a letter agreement dated February 19, 2013, between the Operating Company and Southeast Food Systems, Inc., imposes several limitations. These include restrictions on advertising or offering services in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, ceasing the use of logos incorporating a hot dog or sausage shape (except in pre-existing materials), refraining from using the trade dress of Southwest Food Systems, Inc. (such as fire hydrant trash cans and dog house designs), and avoiding dog names for food items. Any new logo design must not include a dog house, hot dog, or sausage image, and the word portions of the marks should be emphasized.
While the FDD states that, with the exception of the letter agreement described above, Dog Haus is not aware of any other agreements that significantly limit their rights to use or license the principal trademarks material to the franchise, prospective franchisees should be aware of these existing limitations. It is important to understand the specific restrictions and how they might impact business operations, especially regarding marketing, branding, and menu development. Franchisees are obligated to adhere to these trademark usage requirements and should seek clarification from Dog Haus on any uncertainties.