Is Bb.Q Chicken obligated to develop or designate computer software programs for franchisees?
Bb_Q_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The following terms and conditions shall apply with respect to your computer system:
- 20.1.1 We shall have the right to specify or require that certain brands, types, makes, and/or models of communications, computer systems, and hardware to be used by, between, or among bb.q Chicken Franchised Businesses, including without limitation: (a) back office and point-of-sale systems, data, audio, video, and voice storage, retrieval, and transmission systems for use at bb.q Chicken Franchised Businesses, between or among Franchised Businesses, and between and among your Franchised Business and us and/or you; (b) Point-of-Sale Systems; (c) physical, electronic, and other security systems; (d) printers and other peripheral devices; (e) archival back-up systems; and (f) internet access mode and speed (collectively, the "Computer System").
- 20.1.2 We shall have the right, but not the obligation, to develop or have developed for us, or to designate: (a) computer software programs and accounting system software that you must use in connection with the Computer System ("Required Software"), which you shall install; (b) updates, supplements, modifications, or enhancements to the Required Software, which you shall install; (c) the tangible media upon which you shall record data; and (d) the database file structure of your Computer System.
- 20.1.3 You shall record all sales on computer-based point-of-sale systems approved by us or on such other types of systems as may be designated by us in the Manual or otherwise in writing ("Pointof-Sale Systems"), which shall be deemed part of your Computer System.
- 20.1.4 You shall make, from time to time, such upgrades and other changes to the Computer System and Required Software as we may request in writing (collectively, "Computer Upgrades").
- 20.1.5 You shall comply with all specifications issued by us with respect to the Computer System and the Required Software, and with respect to Computer Upgrades. You shall also afford us unimpeded access to your Computer System and Required Software as we may request, in the manner, form, and at the times requested by us.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 62–283)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bb.Q Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Bb.Q Chicken has the right, but not the obligation, to develop or designate computer software programs for franchisees. Bb.Q Chicken may develop or have developed for them, or designate computer software programs and accounting system software that franchisees must use in connection with their computer system. Franchisees are required to install this software, referred to as "Required Software." Bb.Q Chicken also has the right to designate updates, supplements, modifications, or enhancements to the Required Software, which the franchisee would also be required to install. Additionally, Bb.Q Chicken can designate the tangible media for data recording and the database file structure of the computer system.
Bb.Q Chicken franchisees must record all sales on computer-based point-of-sale systems approved by Bb.Q Chicken or other systems designated in the Manual or in writing, which are considered part of the franchisee's Computer System. Bb.Q Chicken can request upgrades and changes to the Computer System and Required Software in writing, and franchisees must comply with all specifications issued by Bb.Q Chicken regarding the Computer System, Required Software, and Computer Upgrades.
Bb.Q Chicken franchisees must provide unimpeded access to their Computer System and Required Software as requested by Bb.Q Chicken, including the manner, form, and times of access. This allows Bb.Q Chicken to maintain control over the technology used within the franchise system and ensure consistency across all locations. While Bb.Q Chicken is not obligated to develop software, they maintain the right to specify and require its use, ensuring franchisees adhere to the brand's technological standards.