Are there any agreements that limit Gold Star's ability to license its trademarks to franchisees?

There are no agreements currently in effect that significantly limit the rights of Gold Star to use or license the use of the primary trademarks, service marks, names, logos and symbols licensed to, and to be used by, you to identify the Franchise business, in any manner material to the Franchise.

You must notify Gold Star promptly of any claim, demand or legal action by any third party involving the Marks or any potentially infringing use of the Marks, or any mark, name, logo or symbol identical to or confusingly similar to any of the Marks. Under the Franchise Agreement, Gold Star agrees to take whatever actions it deems reasonably necessary to protect the Marks and the goodwill associated therewith. Gold Star retains the exclusive right, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, to determine and undertake the actions, if any, that it deems appropriate to prevent the infringement of the Marks or the diminution of the goodwill in the Marks. If a third party brings a legal action against you challenging your right to use the Marks as authorized by the Franchise Agreement, Gold Star may, in its sole discretion, assume your defense utilizing counsel of Gold Star's choice and must indemnify you against all damages for infringement for which you are held liable in that action arising out of your authorized use of the Marks pursuant to and in compliance with the Franchise Agreement, if the following conditions are satisfied: (a) you provide Gold Star with timely notice of the institution of the action, (b) you cooperate fully with Gold Star's counsel in defending against the action and (c) Gold Star retains ultimate control over the strategy involved in defending against and/or resolving the action. If Gold Star undertakes the defense or prosecution of any litigation pertaining to the right to use the Marks, you must execute all documents and do all acts and things as may be necessary, in the opinion of counsel for Gold Star, to carry out the defense or prosecution, whether the action is in the name of Gold Star, or in your name. Gold Star is not responsible for the cost of any independent legal counsel retained by you in any litigation. Except as set forth above, Gold Star will not be liable to you for any damages, costs, expenses, loss of profits or business opportunities, or incidental or consequential damages of any kind regarding or under any action or other matter involving the Marks. If you fail to meet any of your obligations described in this paragraph, Gold Star's obligations and warranties are void regarding the event at issue and Gold Star has no liability for costs incurred by or damages awarded against you.

Source: Item 13 — Trademarks (FDD pages 37–40)