According to the Jersey Mikes franchise agreement, who owns the Marks?
Jersey_Mikes Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisor is the owner of all right, title and interest together with all the goodwill connected therewith in and to the trade names, service marks and trademarks "JERSEY MIKE'S", "JERSEY MIKE'S ESTABLISHED IN '56 PT. PLEASANT, plus the design", "MIKE'S, plus the design", associated logos, commercial symbols, and such other trade names, service marks, and trademarks as are now designated (and may be designated by Franchisor in writing in the future) as part of the System (referred to as "Marks"), and Franchisor continues to develop, use and control such Marks for the benefit and use of itself and its franchisees in order to identify for the public the source of products and services marketed thereunder and to represent the System's high standards of operations, quality, food products, appearance, and service; and
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 77)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Jersey Mike's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor owns all rights and interests in the trade names, service marks, and trademarks, referred to as the "Marks". These Marks include "JERSEY MIKE'S", "JERSEY MIKE'S ESTABLISHED IN '56 PT. PLEASANT, plus the design", "MIKE'S, plus the design", associated logos, and commercial symbols.
Jersey Mike's continues to develop, use, and control these Marks to identify the source of their products and services to the public. This also serves to represent the high standards of operations, quality, food products, appearance, and service that the Jersey Mike's system aims to provide.
For a prospective franchisee, this means that they are granted the right to use these Marks under the conditions and terms outlined in the franchise agreement, but they do not own them. The franchisor retains ownership and control to ensure brand consistency and quality across all franchise locations. This is a common arrangement in franchising, where the franchisor protects and manages the brand's intellectual property.