Can I license a slogan that I've trademarked to the national chain it refers to?

Question

As in, I came up with a slogan for Hooters, and I've kinda developed an entire advertising campaign to go with it. I haven't trademarked it yet, only because I'm unsure if you can trademark a slogan with someone else's product in the name. (Like "Hooters ___ ____ ____." or "____ Hooters.") I'd rather not waste my money, but then again, it's a fairly cheap investment (Under $500) for a possible payoff later. :| Your thoughts?

Answer 1

i think you could....just imagine if your slogan gets huge!!! it will be on tee-shirts and on billboards $$$$$$$ you can see it now  

Answer 2

First off, you cannot register "trademark" for any brand that you don't own!  Second, because you have no ownership rights, and you couldn't use it on any products or services of your own, you wouldn't be able to license the trademark itself to anyone. However, you could (in theory) approach the company with your proposal, as an "unsolicited idea", and they may be interested in paying something for permission to use the idea.  

On the other hand, many large companies (and their ad agencies) have a standard policy of refusing to even discuss such a thing, for fear of accidentally using a similar idea in the future, and procedures for returning unsolicited ideas before reading them.  Better (for them) to not even KNOW about it, rather than have to prove they came up with the similar idea by "coincidence", after seeing yours.