factual

Are Aunt Millies Bakeries' supply systems considered proprietary information?

Aunt_Millies_Bakeries Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

at any time make its own arrangements for terms and prices to its Outlets. Nothing herein shall require either party to pay slotting allowances or other similar fees or charges imposed by the Chains.

ARTICLE 6 CONFIDENTIALITY

§6.1 CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. As a result of this Agreement, DISTRIBUTOR may have access to or obtain certain information not available to the general public regarding AUNT MILLIE'S business ("Confidential Information"). DISTRIBUTOR acknowledges that the Confidential Information constitutes valuable trade secrets to AUNT MILLIE'S and DISTRIBUTOR agrees that it shall use AUNT MILLIE'S Confidential Information solely in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and it will not disclose, or permit the disclosure of same, directly or indirectly, to any third party without AUNT MILLIE'S prior written consent. DISTRIBUTOR agrees to exercise due care in protecting the Confidential Information from unauthorized use and disclosure. However, DISTRIBUTOR has no responsibility for safeguarding any information that it can document in writing (i) is in the public domain through no fault of its own, (ii) was properly known to it, without restriction, prior to disclosure by AUNT MILLIE'S, (iii) was properly disclosed to it, without restriction, by another person with the legal authority to do so, (iv) is independently developed by DISTRIBUTOR without use or reference to AUNT MILLIE'S proprietary information or (v) is required to be disclosed pursuant to a

judicial or legislative order or proceeding; provided that, to the extent permitted by and practical under the circumstances, DISTRIBUTOR provides to AUNT MILLIE'S prior notice of the intended disclosure and an opportunity to respond or object to the disclosure or if prior notice is not permitted or practical under the circumstances, prompt notice of such disclosure.

§6.2 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. In the event of actual or threatened breach of the provisions of this Article 6, AUNT MILLIE'S will be entitled to immediate injunctive and other equitable relief, without bond and without the necessity of showing actual damage.

ARTICLE 7 TRANSFER OF RIGHTS

  • §7.1 CONDITIONS OF ASSIGNABILITY: The Distribution Rights are owned by the DISTRIBUTOR and may be sold or otherwise transferred in whole or in part by DISTRIBUTOR, provided that any such sale or transfer shall be subject to: (a) the prior written approval of AUNT MILLIE'S, which approval will not be unreasonably withheld; and (b) a right of first refusal on the part of AUNT MILLIE'S at the same terms and conditions offered to DISTRIBUTOR (the "Offer") by a bona fide purchaser or transferee (the "Offeror"). The right of approval and right of refusal referred to herein shall expire unless DISTRIBUTOR is notified by AUNT MILLIE'S that it does not approve the Offeror or that it wishes to exercise its right of first refusal by notice given within ten (10) business days after the last to occur of the following:

    • i. receipt by AUNT MILLIE'S of written notice of intent to sell or transfer to a named Offeror on terms and conditions fully set forth in such notice; and
    • ii. a personal interview of the Offeror's controlling shareholder by a designated AUNT MILLIE'S representative; and
  • iii. receipt by AUNT MILLIE'S of the Offeror's and Offeror's controlling shareholder's current financial statements and such additional information as is relevant concerning the Offeror's and Offeror's controlling shareholder's financial condition, health, credit, driving record, and other matters reasonably appropriate to AUNT MILLIE'S' determination. If the contemplated sale or transfer is not a bona fide transfer for value, the price to be paid by AUNT MILLIE'S shall be the fair market value of the Distribution Rights at the time of receipt of such notice of intent. If AUNT MILLIE'S right of approval and right of first refusal expire as provided above DISTRIBUTOR may consummate the transfer to the Offeror on the terms of the Offer.

Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 31)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Aunt Millies Bakeries Franchise Disclosure Document, the company considers certain information regarding its business as confidential. As a franchisee, you may have access to information not available to the general public, which Aunt Millie's considers valuable trade secrets. This includes, but is not limited to, their software accounting system. As such, you are obligated to use this confidential information solely in accordance with the franchise agreement and must not disclose it to any third party without prior written consent from Aunt Millie's. You are expected to protect this information from unauthorized use and disclosure.

The agreement specifies conditions under which you are not responsible for safeguarding information. This includes information already in the public domain, previously known to you without restriction, properly disclosed to you by another authorized person, independently developed by you without using Aunt Millie's proprietary information, or required to be disclosed by a legal order. In the event of a potential breach of confidentiality, Aunt Millie's is entitled to seek immediate injunctive relief without needing to demonstrate actual damages.

Aunt Millie's grants you a limited, non-transferable, non-exclusive license to use their proprietary software system for route sales accounting. You cannot modify, decompile, disassemble, or reverse engineer the software, nor can you authorize anyone else to do so. Upon termination of the franchise agreement, you must cease using the software and any trademarks associated with Aunt Millie's. You are also required to notify Aunt Millie's of any potential infringements on their trademarks and cooperate in any legal actions to protect those marks. Aunt Millie's retains the exclusive right to control any legal action regarding the enforcement of rights in the Marks.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.