Understanding Our Ownership Badges
Kinetic Market helps people discover and support Black-owned businesses. Our ownership verification process is designed to give customers greater confidence in the businesses they find while recognizing the different ways Black entrepreneurs own and operate businesses.
Some businesses are independently owned, some operate as franchises of larger brands, and others involve multiple owners or have different ownership arrangements across locations. Our ownership badges help clarify these distinctions without diminishing the contributions of Black business owners.
Our Ownership Designations
Black-Owned
Black-Owned is Kinetic Market’s standard designation for businesses that meet our ownership verification standard of at least 51% Black ownership.
Businesses that meet this standard receive the site’s default Black-Owned designation and do not need an additional special badge unless a distinction in their ownership arrangement warrants one.
Co-Owned
The Co-Owned badge identifies a business with a verified Black co-owner when Kinetic Market has not established that the business meets the 51% majority-ownership standard.
This designation recognizes Black ownership without requiring disclosure of ownership percentages or details about the business’s internal arrangements. It acknowledges the owner’s involvement without making assumptions about the extent of their ownership.
Franchisee
The Franchisee badge identifies a qualifying franchise business owned by a Black entrepreneur who has purchased or acquired a franchise operating under a larger brand.
The local franchise must meet Kinetic Market’s 51% Black ownership verification standard. This designation recognizes the ownership of the local franchise business; it does not indicate that the parent brand is Black-owned.
For example, a qualifying Black-owned McDonald’s franchise may receive the Franchisee badge even though McDonald’s as a larger brand is not Black-owned.
Location-Specific
The Location-Specific badge identifies a business location whose ownership status has been verified independently of other locations operating under the same brand.
This designation is used when Black ownership applies to a particular location but does not necessarily extend to the brand’s other locations. It helps customers understand that ownership may differ from one location to another.
For example, if a business operates several locations but only two meet Kinetic Market’s ownership verification standard, the designation applies only to those qualifying locations.
Ownership Partnership
The Ownership Partnership badge identifies a qualifying business involving a partnership or joint business arrangement in which Black ownership has been verified and the partnership structure is relevant to understanding the business’s ownership.
This designation recognizes Black participation in the business without requiring Kinetic Market to disclose ownership percentages, private agreements, or other internal business details.
The badge is applied when the ownership arrangement warrants this distinction and the business meets the applicable verification criteria.
How We Verify Ownership
Kinetic Market reviews available information to determine whether a business qualifies for an ownership designation. Depending on the business, verification may include:
- Information published on the business’s official website.
- Business-controlled social media profiles and public statements.
- Documentation or other information provided by the business owner.
We evaluate the available information to make an informed determination. When necessary, we may contact a business owner to clarify ownership or request additional information.
Our goal is to apply designations consistently while respecting the privacy of business owners and avoiding unnecessary disclosure of internal business arrangements.
Businesses With Multiple Owners or Locations
Business ownership can take many forms. A Black entrepreneur may own a business independently, share ownership with other individuals, operate a franchise, or own one location within a larger brand.
Kinetic Market applies ownership designations according to the information verified for the specific business or location.
A designation applied to one location does not automatically mean that other locations operating under the same name qualify for the same designation. Likewise, the ownership of a franchise location does not determine the ownership status of the larger brand.
When more than one special designation might apply, Kinetic Market selects the designation that most accurately communicates the relevant ownership distinction. For example, when majority Black ownership has not been established for a co-owned franchise, Co-Owned may be used instead of Franchisee.
What Our Badges Mean
Our ownership designations communicate the ownership status Kinetic Market has verified. They are intended to help customers make informed decisions about where they spend their money and which businesses they choose to support.
An ownership badge does not constitute an endorsement of every product, service, business practice, or claim made by a listed business. Customers should evaluate businesses based on their own needs and experiences.
Keeping Information Accurate
Business ownership can change over time. If we learn that a business’s ownership has changed or that information associated with a designation is inaccurate, Kinetic Market may review the listing and update or remove the applicable designation.
Business owners who believe a designation is inaccurate or whose ownership information has changed may contact Kinetic Market to request a review.
Questions About Ownership Designations?
If you have questions about an ownership badge or need to provide updated ownership information, please contact Kinetic Market through our website.