Is an Hck Hot Chicken franchisee allowed to contest the validity of any Mark during or after the term of the franchise?

According to the 2025 Hck Hot Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are prohibited from challenging the validity of Hck Hot Chicken's trademarks. Section 11.8 explicitly states that the franchisee acknowledges the trademarks are the exclusive property of Hck Hot Chicken and/or its affiliates.

Specifically, the agreement stipulates that the franchisee "now asserts no claim and will hereafter assert no claim to any goodwill, reputation or ownership thereof by virtue of Franchisee's licensed and/or franchised use thereof, or otherwise." This clause prevents franchisees from making any claims against the brand's trademarks, goodwill, or reputation, reinforcing the franchisor's exclusive ownership.

This type of clause is standard in franchise agreements to protect the brand's intellectual property and maintain uniformity across all franchise locations. By agreeing to this, a prospective Hck Hot Chicken franchisee acknowledges and accepts the franchisor's ownership and control over the brand's identity and reputation, which is crucial for maintaining consistency and preventing legal disputes over trademark usage.