Where can a Southern Steer franchisee find guidelines regarding proper trademark use?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Franchise Agreement grants You the non-exclusive right to use the Mark(s) in Your Southern Steer Business. You may only use the Mark(s) in the manner authorized in the Franchise Agreement and Brand Manual. You may not use the Mark(s) as part of Your corporate or other entity name. You must also follow Our instructions for identifying Yourself and for filing and maintaining the requisite trade name or fictitious name registrations. You must follow Our rules when You use the Mark(s). Guidelines regarding proper trademark use and notices are in the Brand Manual and may be updated periodically in Our discretion. You cannot use any of Our other marks or trade names that We have not licensed to You under the Franchise Agreement. You may not use the Mark(s) or any other mark or trade name We or Our Affiliates own to sell unauthorized products or services or in a manner We do not authorize. You cannot use the Mark(s) or any other mark or trade name We or Our affiliates owns in association with any business other than the Southern Steer Business. You cannot use the Mark(s) or any other mark We or Our Affiliate own in any domain name or on the Internet without Our approval, which may be withheld in Our determination.
Source: Item 13 — ITEM. 13 TRADEMARKS (FDD pages 38–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, guidelines regarding the proper use of their trademarks can be found in the Brand Manual. These guidelines may be updated periodically at Southern Steer's discretion. Franchisees are obligated to adhere to the instructions provided in both the Franchise Agreement and the Brand Manual when using Southern Steer's trademarks.
Southern Steer franchisees are explicitly prohibited from using the trademarks as part of their corporate or entity name. They must also comply with Southern Steer's directives for identifying themselves and registering their trade or fictitious name. Furthermore, franchisees cannot use any trademarks not specifically licensed to them under the Franchise Agreement, nor can they use the licensed marks to sell unauthorized products or services.
Unauthorized use of the trademarks in domain names or on the Internet is also forbidden without Southern Steer's explicit approval. This ensures that Southern Steer maintains control over its brand identity and how it is represented to the public. These regulations are typical in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their brand and ensure consistent representation across all franchise locations.