Can All Dogs Unleashed disclose franchisee-developed concepts to other franchisees?

According to the 2025 All Dogs Unleashed Franchise Disclosure Document, any new concept, process, or improvement developed by a franchisee, their employees, or owners related to the operation or promotion of an All Dogs Unleashed business is considered an "Improvement." The franchisee must promptly notify All Dogs Unleashed of any such Improvement and provide all necessary related information without compensation. This means All Dogs Unleashed does not pay franchisees for their ideas or innovations.

All Dogs Unleashed becomes the sole owner of any Improvement, including all related patents, patent applications, and other intellectual property rights. Franchisees and their owners assign all rights they may have or acquire in the Improvements to All Dogs Unleashed, including the right to modify the Improvement. They also waive all rights of restraint and moral rights. This gives All Dogs Unleashed complete control over any franchisee-developed concepts.

Franchisees and their owners must assist All Dogs Unleashed in obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights to any Improvement in any and all countries. They must also execute and provide All Dogs Unleashed with all necessary documentation for obtaining and enforcing such rights. Franchisees irrevocably designate and appoint All Dogs Unleashed as their agent and attorney-in-fact to execute and file any such documentation and to do all other lawful acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents or other intellectual property rights related to any such Improvement. In the event that these provisions are found to be invalid or unenforceable, the franchisee grants All Dogs Unleashed a worldwide, perpetual, non-exclusive, fully-paid license to use and sublicense the use of the Improvement.

In practical terms, this means that if a franchisee develops a successful new training technique, marketing strategy, or operational efficiency, All Dogs Unleashed has the right to adopt and implement that Improvement across the entire franchise system without compensating the originating franchisee. This is a significant consideration for prospective franchisees who may have innovative ideas to contribute to the All Dogs Unleashed system. While their contributions could benefit the entire franchise network, they will not receive direct financial or proprietary recognition for their efforts.