What specific marks does Gold Star license a franchisee to use?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Gold Star licenses you to use Marks containing the words "Gold Star" and "Gold Star Chili," and any other current or future Marks that Gold Star authorizes in writing, to identify your Franchise business. The primary trademarks, names, symbols and logos currently licensed to you to identify your Franchise business are set forth in Exhibit A to the Franchise Agreement. The Marks may be used only in operating the Restaurant and only subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Franchise Agreement and any other rules of Gold Star set forth in the Manual or otherwise. The Franchise Agreement and these other rules impose various restrictions on your use of the Marks.
Source: Item 13 — Trademarks (FDD pages 37–40)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Gold Star Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are licensed to use marks containing the words "Gold Star" and "Gold Star Chili." Franchisees may also be authorized to use other current or future marks in writing to identify their franchise business. The primary trademarks, names, symbols, and logos currently licensed are detailed in Exhibit A of the Franchise Agreement. These marks can only be used in operating the restaurant and are subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the Franchise Agreement and any other rules set forth by Gold Star in their manual or otherwise.
The FDD also includes tables showing registered trademarks. For example, the trademark "GOLD STAR" is listed with registration number 1,960,628, registered on March 5, 1996, with a renewal due March 5, 2026. Another trademark, "GOLD STAR GRILL" has registration number 3,099,303, registered May 30, 2006, with a renewal due May 30, 2026.
Gold Star is also in the process of modernizing its trademarks and transitioning the system to use new marks. These new trademarks, names, symbols, and logos have "intent to use" applications filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, with the goal of registering them on the principal register. Because these marks are not yet federally registered, they do not have the same legal benefits and rights as registered trademarks. If the right to use these marks is challenged, franchisees may need to switch to an alternative trademark, which could increase expenses.