What level of employees must have access restricted to the Beard Papas Manuals?

According to Beard Papas's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the Operations Manual. The franchisee must keep all files, data, and information contained within the Operations Manual in a secure location and/or in a protected confidential state, as directed by Beard Papas. This obligation extends to ensuring that the standards, specifications, and requirements outlined in the manual are strictly followed in the operation of the franchised business. These standards include, but are not limited to, the Approved Services and Products, System Supplies, and authorized and designated suppliers.

Beard Papas will provide the franchisee with access to the Operations Manual, which contains mandatory and suggested specifications, standards, and operating procedures. Beard Papas will also provide reasonable notice of any modifications or changes made to the Operations Manual, potentially through electronic communications or notifications on an online platform. Franchisees are given a reasonable period of time to implement these changes.

In practical terms, this means a Beard Papas franchisee must implement strict internal controls regarding who can access the Operations Manual. This likely includes limiting access to management and key personnel, storing the manual in a secure location (physical or digital), and training employees on the importance of maintaining confidentiality. Failure to adequately protect the Operations Manual could result in breaches of confidentiality, operational inconsistencies, and potential penalties from Beard Papas.