factual

What specific actions are Azal Coffee employees prohibited from doing with Confidential Information?

Azal_Coffee Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

ompany"). The Company operates or is developing an Azal Coffee | | | | franchise under a | | | | Franchise Agreement between the Company and Durar Investment, LLC (the "Franchisor") or of | | | | one of its affiliates or franchisees. | | |

As an employee or trainee of the Company, I acknowledge that in the course of my employment by the Company and my training in the Azal Coffee franchise systems of operation, I will have access to certain Confidential Information, as defined below, about the Company and the Franchisor's methods of establishing, developing, operating and maintaining Azal Coffee Stores that is confidential and not available to the public in general. I understand that the Company and the Franchisor have spent a great deal of time and money developing this Confidential Information and I acknowledge that the Company and the Franchisor's reasonable competitive business interests would be severely and irreparably damaged if the Confidential Information that has been (or may be) revealed to me were to be disclosed to any third person, become available to the public in general, or used by me to compete with the Company or the Franchisor or any of its affiliates or franchisees. I, therefore, agree that the Company and Franchisor have a need to protect the Company's and the Franchisor's valuable Confidential Information and I agree that in consideration of these factors, and in consideration of my employment or continuing employment with the Company and/or by training in the Azal Coffee systems of operation, I promise and agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement as follows:

  1. I agree not to directly or indirectly disclose to any individual, company, partnership, business, corporation or any other entity ("person") or to use myself, any Confidential Information which I learn during my training and/or employment with the Company, except as necessary in the course of my employment with the Company. I agree that these restrictions will apply while I am in training or am employed by the Company and indefinitely after my training is completed or ends or my employment terminates or ends for any reason.

I agree to, at all times, keep the Confidential Information strictly confidential and to maintain the secrecy of the Confidential Information. In particular, I will, at all times, keep all tangible forms of the Confidential Information that I have been entrusted with in a secure work area and safely locked away when not in use and will ensure that these items do not fall into the hands of unauthorized persons.

I also agree that if my training ceases without my being employed by the Company or my employment with the Company terminates or ends for any reason, I will immediately return to the Company or the Franchisor, all memoranda, notes, and other written, digital, electronic, or printed information that is in my possession or under my control, which contains Confidential Information, including information, which although not confidential, belongs to the Company or the Franchisor or relates to its business or systems of the Company or the Franchisor. This obligation will apply regardless of whether the information was prepared by me, the Company, the Franchisor, or a third party.

The term "Confidential Information" includes, but is not limited to: (i) "proprietary information," which includes, but is not limited to, knowledge and experience relating to Azal Coffee Stores; advertising, marketing techniques and strategies, and advertising programs used in developing and operating Azal Coffee Stores; computer software and similar technology and systems that have been or may be developed by or for the Company or the Franchisor, which is

proprietary to the Company or the Franchisor, including digital passwords and identifications and any source code of, and data, reports, and other printed materials generated by, the software or similar technology; the contents of the Brand Standards Manual; financial information, including but not limited to knowledge of the operating results and financial performance of Azal Coffee Stores; new ventures, pending projects and proposals, and product development information; other aspects of the Azal Coffee systems now or later revealed to you and all changes and enhancements in the Azal Coffee systems, even if developed by you; and other property that the Company or the Franchisor describes as being Confidential Information or that is confidential, unique and/or not generally known or available to the public, including but not limited to, information regarding the Company's or the Franchisor's methods, equipment, and materials relating to the development, marketing, and operation of the Company's business of a Azal Coffee Store; (ii) "trade secret" information which includes any knowledge, ideas, concepts, recipes, techniques, computer programs, systems manuals, installation guides, reports, technical manuals, operation manuals, and training programs relating to the establishment, development, operation and maintenance of the Company's business, Franchisor's business, or an Azal Coffee Store; (iii) "customer information" which includes information about current and prospective customers of the Company or the Franchisor, including any list that contains the names, addresses and telephone numbers, and other contact information of the Company's or Franchisor's current or prospective customers, and specific information about these customers or prospective customers such as number of employees, general needs, order history, contact information, and customer contacts or referral sources; and (iv) "supplier information" which includes product source information and information about current and prospective carriers, suppliers, vendors, agencies, or providers of the Company or the Franchisor, including the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any such suppliers and the terms of any contracts or arrangements between the Company or the Franchisor and such suppliers.

    1. I will not, while I am in training or while I am employed by the Company, nor within three (3) years of the date that training ceases without my being employed by the Company or the date my employment with the Company terminates or ends, for any reason whatsoever, directly or indirectly:
    • (a) engage in any business that is in competition with the Company or the Franchisor as principal, agent on behalf of others, jointly with others, or as a stockholder, partner, director, members, manager, officer, independent contractor, employee or advisor of or to any Person within twenty-five (25) miles of any Azal Coffee store; or
    • (b) have a financial interest in, or aid or assist, financially or otherwise (as a lender, stockholder, member, or otherwise), any Person who is engaged in a business that competes with the Company or the Franchisor within twenty-five (25) miles of any Azal Coffee Store.

I also agree that I will not disparage or otherwise make harmful or unfavorable statements regarding the Company or the Franchisor or an Azal Coffee Store or any of their services, operations, processes, or methods to anyone else.

3.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–204)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to the 2024 Azal Coffee FDD, as an employee or trainee, one is prohibited from disclosing Confidential Information to any individual, company, partnership, business, corporation, or any other entity, or using the information themselves, except when necessary for their employment with the company. These restrictions apply during training and employment, and indefinitely after training or employment ends for any reason. Employees must keep Confidential Information strictly confidential and maintain its secrecy, ensuring that tangible forms of Confidential Information are kept in a secure work area, safely locked away when not in use, and do not fall into the hands of unauthorized persons.

Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, proprietary information, trade secret information, customer information, and supplier information. Proprietary information includes knowledge and experience relating to Azal Coffee stores, advertising and marketing techniques, computer software, the contents of the Brand Standards Manual, financial information, new ventures, and product development information. Trade secret information includes knowledge, ideas, concepts, recipes, techniques, computer programs, systems manuals, and training programs related to the establishment, development, operation, and maintenance of Azal Coffee stores. Customer information includes details about current and prospective customers, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, and order history. Supplier information includes product source information and details about current and prospective carriers, suppliers, vendors, and agencies.

If training ceases without employment or employment terminates for any reason, the employee must immediately return all memoranda, notes, and other written, digital, electronic, or printed information containing Confidential Information to Azal Coffee. This obligation applies regardless of who prepared the information. These obligations are binding on the employee, their heirs, and personal representatives, and benefit the company, the franchisor, and their successors and assigns. Breaching the agreement will cause irreparable harm to the company and/or franchisor, entitling them to an injunction to prevent further violations, in addition to any other rights and remedies they may have.

Furthermore, for a period of three years after training or employment ends, the employee is prohibited from engaging in any business that competes with Azal Coffee or having a financial interest in any competing business within 25 miles of any Azal Coffee store. The employee also agrees not to disparage or make harmful statements regarding the company, the franchisor, or any Azal Coffee store.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 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.