What is the relationship between Gold Star and TCWW, LLC?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
io 45226.
Gold Star is the parent company of TCWW, LLC ("TCWW"), an Ohio limited liability company. TCWW is a franchisor which offers franchises for the operation of quick service restaurants selling grilled cheese sandwiches, other sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, other menu items, and related products and services to the public under the name Tom and Chee. TCWW's principal office address is 650 Lunken Park Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. Gold Star does not operate any Tom and Chee Restaurants.
The Franchisor's Business.
Gold Star owns, operates and manages chili restaurants known as GOLD STAR and GOLD STAR CHILI Restaurants (each a "Restaurant"), sells Restaurant franchises (each a "Franchise") to others (each a "Franchisee"), and operates Gold Star's production and warehouse facility, the
sole purpose of which is to produce proprietary food and other products which Gold Star then sells to our third-party distributor.
Gold Star, through its production and warehouse facility, sells its proprietary food and other products to its third-party distributor, who in turn sells these products and others to Franchisees.
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, TCWW, LLC is a subsidiary of Gold Star. Gold Star is the parent company of TCWW, LLC, which is an Ohio limited liability company. TCWW is a franchisor that offers franchises for quick-service restaurants under the name Tom and Chee, selling grilled cheese sandwiches, other sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts, and related items. Gold Star itself does not operate any Tom and Chee restaurants. TCWW's principal business address is the same as Gold Star's, located at 650 Lunken Park Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226.
TCWW began franchising Tom and Chee restaurants on September 19, 2017, after purchasing the franchising assets of Tom and Chee Worldwide, LLC ("Worldwide"). Worldwide had been licensing franchisees since October 5, 2012, but no longer does so after TCWW's purchase. While TCWW has not sold any new Tom and Chee franchises since acquiring 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 but has tested dual-brand opportunities within existing Gold Star units.
For a potential Gold Star franchisee, this relationship indicates that Gold Star is involved in franchising beyond its core chili restaurant concept. The fact that TCWW has tested dual-brand opportunities within existing Gold Star units suggests potential synergies or cross-promotional activities between the two brands. However, it's important to note that TCWW has not sold new franchises recently, which could indicate challenges or strategic shifts within the Tom and Chee brand. A prospective franchisee should inquire about the performance and future plans for the Tom and Chee brand and how it might impact or benefit a Gold Star franchise.