Is the use of Gold Star's trademarks limited to operating the restaurant?
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 Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Gold Star grants franchisees a license to use trademarks containing the words "Gold Star" and "Gold Star Chili," along with any other trademarks Gold Star authorizes in writing, to identify their franchise business. The primary trademarks are listed in Exhibit A of the Franchise Agreement.
However, the use of these marks is explicitly limited to operating the restaurant. Franchisees must adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in the Franchise Agreement and any other rules set forth by Gold Star in their manual or other communications. These rules impose various restrictions on how franchisees can use the trademarks.
This means a Gold Star franchisee cannot use the trademarks for any other business or purpose outside of running their Gold Star restaurant. This restriction is typical in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their brand identity and ensure consistent representation across all franchise locations. Franchisees should carefully review the Franchise Agreement and the Gold Star manual to fully understand the specific limitations and requirements for using the Gold Star trademarks.