Can shares of a Hck Hot Chicken franchisee be offered for sale through a public offering of securities?

According to the 2025 Hck Hot Chicken Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee is prohibited from using the Hck Hot Chicken trademarks in connection with any offering of securities or any request for credit without the prior express written approval of Hck Hot Chicken. Hck Hot Chicken may withhold or condition any approval related to the Marks, including those described in this Section, in its discretion.

This means that if a franchisee wants to raise capital by offering securities, such as stocks or bonds, to the public, they cannot use the Hck Hot Chicken trademarks in their offering documents or marketing materials without first getting permission from Hck Hot Chicken. This restriction gives Hck Hot Chicken control over how its brand is associated with financial offerings and helps protect its reputation.

This requirement is fairly standard in franchising, as franchisors want to ensure their brand is not misrepresented or misused in financial dealings. A prospective franchisee should discuss with Hck Hot Chicken the conditions under which such approval might be granted and what factors Hck Hot Chicken considers when making its decision.