What does the Employee/Independent Contractor Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement for Annex Brands say about the employee's role in promoting the franchised business?
Annex_Brands Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Covenants Not to Disclose; Covenants Not to Compete. You agree that certain methods of doing business and other elements comprising the System are distinctive and have been developed by Franchisor and us at great effort, skill, time and expense; that you will have regular and continuing access to valuable trade secrets, Confidential Information and valuable training regarding the System; and that you recognize your obligation to promote and develop our franchised business. You accordingly agree as follows:
- (a) Except as required in duties performed for us, you will never, either during or after the term or engagement or employment, either directly or indirectly, use, or disseminate or disclose to any person or entity, any trade secrets or Confidential Information, including but not limited to customer names, other customer information and business methods, of Franchisor or us, and will always seek to preserve the confidentiality of those trade secrets and Confidential Information.
- (b) During your engagement or employment, you will not, directly or indirectly, for yourself, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with any person or entity, divert or attempt to divert any business or customer of ours to any competitor or other person by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise, but this Section will not prevent you from referring customers in good faith to other businesses, including but not limited to competitors' businesses, that may be able to provide those customers with products or services not available from our business.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 110–299)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Annex Brands' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Employee/Independent Contractor Confidentiality and Non-Competition Agreement states that employees or independent contractors acknowledge their obligation to promote and develop the franchised business. This acknowledgment is part of the consideration for their employment or engagement.
Specifically, the agreement emphasizes that employees or independent contractors will have access to valuable trade secrets, confidential information, and training related to the Annex Brands system. This access reinforces their responsibility to contribute to the growth and success of the franchised business.
Furthermore, the agreement includes covenants that prevent employees or independent contractors from disclosing confidential information or competing with the franchised business during and after their engagement. This underscores the importance of their role in safeguarding the business's interests and promoting its development.