Is the Confidentiality Agreement provided in the Bang Cookies FDD a final version?

According to Bang Cookies's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Confidentiality Agreement included is a sample form and not a final version. The FDD states explicitly that the provided agreement is for reference purposes only. Bang Cookies franchisees are advised to have the agreement reviewed and approved by an independent local attorney before using it with any employee or contractor.

This means that franchisees cannot simply use the agreement as-is. They must seek legal counsel to ensure it complies with local laws and adequately protects their interests. This step is crucial because laws governing confidentiality agreements can vary significantly by jurisdiction, and using a non-compliant agreement could render it unenforceable.

Requiring franchisees to consult with their own attorneys for legal document review is a common practice in franchising. It ensures that franchisees receive tailored advice specific to their location and circumstances, and it helps protect both the franchisor and franchisee from potential legal issues arising from standardized documents.