What symbols must a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisee use in conjunction with the marks?
Nothing_Bundt_Cakes Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may use only the Marks which we designate and may use them only in the manner we authorize and permit. Any goodwill associated with the Marks or our System, including any goodwill which might be deemed to have arisen through your activities, inures directly and exclusively to our benefit. You may use the Marks only at the Approved Location or in advertising for the Bakery. You must use all Marks without prefix or suffix and in conjunction with the symbols "SM," "TM," "S" or "R," as applicable. You may not use the Marks in connection with the offer or sale of any services or products which we have not authorized for use in connection with the System. You may not use the Marks as part of your corporate or other legal name. We must approve your corporate name and all fictitious names under which you propose to do business in writing before use. You must use your corporate or limited liability company name either alone or followed by the initials "D/B/A" and the business name "Nothing Bundt Cakes®."
Source: Item 13 — TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 58–61)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Nothing Bundt Cakes's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, when using the brand's marks, a franchisee must use the symbols "SM," "TM," "S" or "R," as applicable. This requirement applies when using the marks at the approved location or in advertising for the bakery. The franchisee must use all marks without any prefix or suffix.
This means that when a Nothing Bundt Cakes franchisee displays the brand's trademarks, they must include the appropriate symbol to indicate the mark's status, whether it's a service mark (SM), trademark (TM), service mark (S), or registered trademark (R). This is a standard practice in franchising to protect the franchisor's intellectual property and inform the public of the mark's legal status.
The franchisee does not have the right to use the marks in connection with the offer or sale of any services or products which Nothing Bundt Cakes has not authorized for use in connection with the System. The franchisee also cannot use the marks as part of their corporate or other legal name. The franchisee must use their corporate or limited liability company name either alone or followed by the initials "D/B/A" and the business name "Nothing Bundt Cakes®."