Has Gold Star offered franchises in lines of business other than restaurants?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Gold Star has operated chili-style restaurants similar to the Restaurant to be operated under the Franchise described in this disclosure document continuously since its formation in 1965. Gold Star began franchising restaurants similar to the Restaurant to be operated under the Franchise described in this disclosure document in 1966. Gold Star has not offered franchises in other lines of business.
TCWW began franchising Tom and Chee restaurants on September 19, 2017, when it purchased the franchising assets of its predecessor, Tom and Chee Worldwide, LLC ("Worldwide"). Worldwide is an Ohio limited liability company that licensed franchisees the right to operate Tom and Chee restaurants from October 5, 2012 until September 19, 2017. Worldwide no longer licenses franchisees to operate Tom and Chee restaurants. Although TCWW has not sold any new Tom and Chee franchises since its purchase of the system, there are currently 2 active franchised and 4 company-owned Tom and Chee locations operating in the United States. TCWW has not offered franchises in other lines of business, however has tested dual-brand opportunities within existing Gold Star units.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 7–10)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Gold Star has not offered franchises in lines of business other than restaurants. The FDD specifies that Gold Star has continuously operated chili-style restaurants since 1965 and began franchising similar restaurants in 1966.
However, Gold Star's parent company, TCWW, has tested dual-brand opportunities within existing Gold Star units. TCWW began franchising Tom and Chee restaurants on September 19, 2017, after purchasing the franchising assets of Tom and Chee Worldwide, LLC. While TCWW has not sold any new Tom and Chee franchises since the purchase, there are currently 2 active franchised and 4 company-owned Tom and Chee locations operating in the United States.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that Gold Star's franchising experience is solely within the restaurant industry, specifically chili-style restaurants. While there may be opportunities to explore dual-branding with Tom and Chee, Gold Star itself has not ventured into other franchise sectors. This focus could be seen as a strength, indicating a deep understanding of the restaurant business, but it also means less diversification in its franchise offerings.