Are the online training materials provided by Big O Tires considered proprietary and confidential?
Big_O_Tires Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must establish and operate your Big O Store in compliance with your Franchise Agreement and the standards and specifications contained in our confidential operating manual ("Manual"). Our Manual consists of various written, electronic, audio, video, and Internet instructions, including our Franchise Policies & Standards Manual, consisting of our policies and standards on various matters. The Manual also includes any training materials, including the online Learning Management System, or any other proprietary information and other materials stating Big O's standards, policies, procedures, technical bulletins or other information, including any information posted on the Big O Tires Website Business Center. The Manual is designed to protect our reputation and the goodwill of the Licensed Marks, it is not designed to control the day-to-day operations of your Big O Store. Our Manual may be modified by us periodically to reflect changes in authorized products and services, standards or service quality, and the operations of Big O Stores. It is your responsibility to maintain an updated Manual, or if provided electronically, to regularly check for updates to the Manual and maintain compliance with the current Manual. In the event of a dispute as to the contents of the Manual, the most recent revision made and issued by us shall control.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 77)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Big O Tires' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the online training materials are considered proprietary and confidential. The confidential operating manual ("Manual") for Big O Tires includes various written, electronic, audio, video, and Internet instructions, including training materials and the online Learning Management System.
As a Big O Tires franchisee, you must operate your store in compliance with the Franchise Agreement and the standards and specifications outlined in the Manual. This manual is designed to protect Big O Tires' reputation and the goodwill of its licensed marks. The manual may be modified periodically to reflect changes in authorized products and services, standards, or service quality, and the operations of Big O Tires stores.
It is the franchisee's responsibility to maintain an updated manual, or if provided electronically, to regularly check for updates and maintain compliance with the current manual. In the event of a dispute, the most recent revision issued by Big O Tires will control. This underscores the importance of staying current with all updates to the Big O Tires system and adhering to the prescribed methods of operation.