Your Fried Chicken Brand in Vietnam May Be Lost If Not Registered
Opening a fried chicken restaurant is becoming an increasingly attractive business for young entrepreneurs in Vietnam due to the appeal of franchising, a large market demand, and high-profit potential. However, many owners often overlook a key legal risk in the early stages: not registering their trademark. Without trademark protection, your business is at risk of having its name, logo, slogan, or brand identity copied—and even losing the entire brand you've worked so hard to build.
This article will help you understand why you should register your fried chicken brand, the benefits of registration, the process involved, and important tips to avoid unnecessary disputes.
Why register a trademark for your fried chicken business?
When you open a fried chicken restaurant with a unique name, slogan, packaging, or logo, you're creating brand value. But unless you register your trademark with the Vietnam Intellectual Property Office (NOIP), you do not have the legal exclusive rights to use that branding.
This means someone else can register the brand before you, even if you’ve used it in practice. In many cases, business owners have faced costly legal battles, been forced to rebrand, or even shut down for infringing intellectual property rights.
Trademark protection is your first shield in competition
As your restaurant gains popularity and loyal customers, your brand becomes a target for copycats. Registering your trademark is not just legal protection—it’s a business weapon for fair competition.
A registered trademark gives you:
Legal rights to stop others from using similar names or logos
Grounds to request enforcement action by authorities
A solid foundation for franchising or business expansion
Increased brand value in the eyes of investors or partners
Practical value of trademark registration
Beyond legal safety, a registered trademark is a valuable intangible asset—it can be valued, transferred, licensed, or even pledged in financial transactions.
With trademark protection, you can confidently expand your restaurant chain or grant others usage rights while keeping full control.
Trademark registration process in Vietnam
Registering a brand isn’t too complicated if you follow the process and prepare the right documents. Here are the key steps:
1. Trademark search
Before applying, check whether your chosen name or logo is already registered or similar to existing marks. This helps avoid wasted time and money.
2. Prepare application documents
Your application should include:
Trademark application form
Trademark sample (name/logo)
List of goods/services (e.g., "restaurant services")
Legal documents of the applicant
Power of attorney (if applying through an agent)
3. File with the NOIP
You can file in person or online. The process includes:
Formality examination
Publication
Substantive examination
Certificate issuance (if approved)
The whole process usually takes 12–18 months. During this time, you may use the “™” symbol to indicate your brand is pending registration.
Is trademark registration expensive?
The cost is reasonable compared to the long-term value. Government fees are around 1–2 million VND per class. Using a legal service may cost around 3–5 million VND, depending on complexity. That’s a small investment compared to rebranding or losing customers due to legal trouble.
Important tips when registering
Choose a distinctive name—not generic ones like “Delicious Chicken” or “No.1 Fried Chicken”
Avoid logos copied from the internet or similar to big brands
Register both the name and image for full protection
Track the status and renew your trademark on time
Act early to protect your fried chicken brand
Trademark registration is not just preventive—it’s how you legally own your business identity. Many restaurants and cafes have had to rebrand after years of operation because they forgot this crucial step.
Don’t let someone else take the brand you built just because they registered it first.
In Vietnam’s competitive food and beverage market, intellectual property is your soft power. Don’t wait for a dispute to take action. Register your brand early so you can focus on food quality and customer experience.
If you don’t know where to start, contact DEDICA Law Firm for full legal support in protecting your restaurant brand.
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