Does Afuri Ramen Dumpling guarantee that its systems will be free from E-Problems?
Afuri_Ramen_Dumpling Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- 5.8.6 E-Problem Disclaimer: Computer systems are vulnerable in varying degrees to computer viruses, bugs, power disruptions, communication line disruptions, Internet access failures, Internet content failures, date-related problems, and attacks by hackers and other unauthorized intruders ("E-Problems").
We do not guarantee that information or communication systems that we or others supply will not be vulnerable to E-Problems.
It is your responsibility to protect yourself from E-Problems.
You should also take reasonable steps to verify that your suppliers, lenders, landlords, customers, and governmental agencies on which you rely, have reasonable protection from E-problems.
This may include taking reasonable steps to secure your systems (including firewalls, password protection, and anti-virus systems), and to provide backup systems.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 50–189)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Afuri Ramen Dumpling's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, Afuri Ramen Dumpling does not guarantee that its information or communication systems will be free from E-Problems. The FDD defines "E-Problems" as vulnerabilities in computer systems, including computer viruses, bugs, power disruptions, communication line disruptions, internet access failures, internet content failures, date-related problems, and attacks by hackers and other unauthorized intruders.
The FDD states that it is the franchisee's responsibility to protect themselves from E-Problems, and that franchisees should take reasonable steps to verify that their suppliers, lenders, landlords, customers, and governmental agencies on which they rely also have reasonable protection from E-Problems. The FDD suggests franchisees take reasonable steps to secure their systems, including using firewalls, password protection, and anti-virus systems, and to provide backup systems.
This disclaimer means that as an Afuri Ramen Dumpling franchisee, you bear the risk of any losses or damages resulting from computer system failures or security breaches. You are responsible for implementing and maintaining your own cybersecurity measures. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors typically do not want to be held liable for issues arising from a franchisee's technology infrastructure.