Does Gold Star have any predecessors?

According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Gold Star Chili, Inc. states that it has no predecessors. The FDD clarifies that "Gold Star" and "we" refer to Gold Star Chili, Inc., the franchisor, while "you" refers to the person or business entity buying the franchise. Gold Star is an Ohio corporation incorporated on September 14, 1965, and does business under the names "Gold Star" and "Gold Star Chili."

While Gold Star itself has no predecessors, it is the parent company of TCWW, LLC, which franchises Tom and Chee restaurants. TCWW acquired the franchising assets of Tom and Chee Worldwide, LLC ("Worldwide") on September 19, 2017. Worldwide had previously licensed Tom and Chee franchises from October 5, 2012, until the acquisition date. This means that while Gold Star has no direct predecessors, its subsidiary TCWW does have a predecessor in the Tom and Chee franchise system.

For a potential Gold Star franchisee, this distinction is important. It indicates that Gold Star's chili restaurant concept has a long, uninterrupted history dating back to its incorporation in 1965. However, it also shows that Gold Star is involved in other franchise systems through its parent company relationship with TCWW and the Tom and Chee brand. This could provide some insight into Gold Star's experience with managing franchise systems beyond its core chili restaurant business.