Definition of DBA

DBA stands for "doing business as ... " It's used to allow a company to operate under a different brand name than the name used to incorporate.

Here are some famous examples:

- General Motors, dba, Pontiac
- Yum Brands, dba, Kentucky Fried Chicken, or dba, KFC.

Here's one on the small business level:
- Smith Brothers, Inc., dba, Crystal City Seafood.

With the use of a dba, the Smith Brothers can add new brands, like Crystal City Steak House, as wholly owned subsidiary of their corporation, without changing the legal entity or adding an additional one.