Are there any agreements in effect that significantly limit Bhc's right to use or license its copyrighted materials?

According to Bhc's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are no agreements that significantly limit Bhc's right to use or license its copyrighted materials. Bhc also states that they are not required by any agreement to protect or defend any patent, trademark, or copyright. Additionally, Bhc is not aware of any superior prior rights or infringing uses that could materially affect a franchisee's use of the copyrights in the state where their franchise business will be located.

Bhc claims copyright protection for its Operations Manual and other publications and promotional materials, even though they have not registered any of the materials with the U.S. Copyright Office. These materials are considered proprietary and confidential and are Bhc's property. Franchisees may only use them as provided in the MFA, Operations Manual, and other communications from Bhc. Bhc reserves the right to register any of its copyrighted materials at any time they deem appropriate.

Bhc's Operations Manual and other materials contain confidential information, including site selection criteria, recipes, training and operations materials, methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures, food preparation techniques, sales and marketing techniques, knowledge, and experience used in developing and operating BHC Restaurants, marketing and advertising programs for BHC Restaurants, any computer software or similar technology that is proprietary to Bhc or the system, knowledge of specifications for and suppliers of Approved Suppliers and other products and supplies, knowledge of the operating results and financial performance of BHC Restaurants other than a BHC Restaurant, and graphic designs and related intellectual property. All ideas, concepts, techniques, or materials concerning a Bhc Restaurant, whether protectable intellectual property and whether created by or for franchisees or their owners or employees, must be promptly disclosed to Bhc and will be deemed to be Bhc's sole and exclusive property, part of the system, and works made-for-hire for Bhc. To the extent any item does not qualify as a "work made-for-hire" for Bhc, franchisees assign ownership of that item, and all related rights to that item, without compensation, to Bhc and must take whatever action (including signing assignment or other documents) Bhc requests to show their ownership or to help them obtain intellectual property rights in the item. Franchisees may not use Bhc's confidential information in an unauthorized manner and must take reasonable steps to prevent improper disclosure to others and use non-disclosure and noncompetition agreements with those having access. Bhc may regulate the form of agreement that franchisees use and will be a third-party beneficiary of that agreement with independent enforcement rights.