Does Hck Hot Chicken require approval of any co-branding chain or arrangement proposed by the franchisee?
Hck_Hot_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
SECTION 11. TRADEMARKS
- 11.1 Use of Marks.
Subject to Section 11.6 of this Agreement, the Franchised Restaurant shall be named "HCK Hot Chicken" with only such additional prefix or suffix as may be required by Franchisor from time to time.
Franchisee shall use and display such of Franchisor's trade dress, Marks, and such signs, advertising, and slogans only as Franchisor may from time to time prescribe or approve.
Upon expiration or sooner termination of this Agreement, Franchisor may, if Franchisee does not do so, execute in Franchisee's name and on Franchisee's behalf, any and all documents necessary in Franchisor's judgment to end and cause the discontinuance of Franchisee's use of the trade dress and Marks and Franchisor is hereby irrevocably appointed and designated as Franchisee's attorney-in-fact so to do.
Franchisee shall not imprint or authorize any person to imprint any of the Marks on any product without the express written approval of Franchisor.
Franchisee shall not use the Marks in connection with any offering of securities or any request for credit without the prior express written approval of Franchisor.
Franchisor may withhold or condition any approval related to the Marks, including those described in this Section, in its discretion.
During the Term, Franchisee shall identify the Franchised Restaurant as an independently owned and operated franchise of Franchisor, in the form and manner specified by Franchisor, including on all invoices, order forms, receipts, checks, business cards, on posted notices located the Location and in other media and advertisements as Franchisor may direct from time to time.
- 11.2 Non-Use of Trade Name.
If Franchisee is an Entity, it sha
Source: Item 21 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (FDD page 54)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Hck Hot Chicken franchisees must adhere to specific brand standards and obtain approval for various aspects of their operations, but the document does not explicitly address co-branding arrangements. The FDD states that the franchised restaurant must be named "HCK Hot Chicken" with only such additional prefix or suffix as may be required by Franchisor from time to time. Franchisees must use and display Hck Hot Chicken's trade dress, marks, signs, advertising, and slogans only as prescribed or approved by Hck Hot Chicken. Franchisees cannot imprint any of the marks on any product without express written approval from Hck Hot Chicken and cannot use the marks in connection with any offering of securities or request for credit without prior express written approval. Hck Hot Chicken may withhold or condition any approval related to the marks at its discretion.
Franchisees are obligated to participate in Hck Hot Chicken's gift and loyalty card program and must participate in customer online ordering and/or payment systems and programs established and modified by Hck Hot Chicken. Franchisees must comply with all applicable laws pertaining to the privacy of customer, employee, and transactional information, as well as Hck Hot Chicken's standards and policies pertaining to Privacy Laws. Franchisees cannot publish, disseminate, implement, revise, or rescind a data privacy policy without Hck Hot Chicken's prior written consent. These stipulations suggest a high degree of control by Hck Hot Chicken over the brand's image and customer-facing operations.
While the FDD excerpts detail requirements for supplier approval, advertising, and use of trademarks, they do not specifically address whether Hck Hot Chicken requires approval for co-branding arrangements proposed by a franchisee. A prospective franchisee should directly ask Hck Hot Chicken about its policy on co-branding, including whether such arrangements are permitted, and if so, what specific criteria and approval processes would apply.