Sienna Wings Faces Trademark Battle, Hindering Expansion

Tyla Simone Crayton, the teen CEO behind the viral sensation Sienna Wings, is facing a significant hurdle in her business expansion due to a trademark battle. The dispute with the Sienna Property Owners Association (SPOA) and community developer Johnson Development is preventing the restaurant from using its name on storefront signage, impacting its visibility and growth.

A Trademark Dispute Hindering Growth

Crayton, who gained national attention in 2021 on “Shark Tank” for her popular sauces, has successfully opened multiple storefronts in her native Texas. However, a new location in Missouri City, Texas, is currently operating without signage due to the agreement stipulations. Crayton alleges that the proposed Trademark Coexistence Agreement with Johnson Development infringes upon her intellectual property and “unfairly blocked” her small, Black-owned business.

The agreement, according to KHOU 11, would grant Johnson Development approval rights over any business changes or expansions, including moves to other cities, states, or countries. It could also give the developer control over decisions regarding the company’s sale or exit. Crayton refuses to sign the agreement in its current form, having already filed a failed appeal with the SPOA, leaving her business and a “Shark Tank” deal in limbo.

Fighting for Fair Treatment and Visibility

While Johnson Development claims the agreements are intended to protect the “Sienna” trademark, Crayton argues they could stifle her business’s growth. She has launched a petition, which has garnered thousands of signatures from supporters nationwide, calling for fair treatment and protection for small businesses facing undue pressure. “Signing this petition is important because it supports fair treatment, protects small businesses from undue pressure, and helps ensure Sienna Wings can secure the signage they need to remain visible, accessible, and thriving in our community,” Crayton stated in an Instagram caption.

In the meantime, Crayton and her mother, who manages the business alongside her, are seeking alternative solutions, including pursuing hearings to revitalize her business and bypass the current agreement. Her journey highlights the challenges faced by young entrepreneurs, particularly Black women in business, when navigating complex legal and community regulations.

• Sienna Wings founder Tyla Simone Crayton is in a trademark dispute with the Sienna Property Owners Association (SPOA).
• The dispute prevents the business from using its name on storefront signage, hindering expansion.
• Crayton alleges the proposed agreement infringes on her intellectual property and business autonomy.
• She gained national attention after appearing on “Shark Tank” with her signature sauces.
• Crayton has launched a petition seeking support for fair treatment and business visibility.