After termination of a Bigfoot Forestry franchise, to whom must the franchisee transfer Customer Data?

According to Bigfoot Forestry's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Customer Data is defined as any information pertaining to a Bigfoot Forestry Business customer, including their name, address, contact information, date of birth, purchase history, and any other information collected. This data is considered confidential. The excerpt does not specify to whom the franchisee must transfer Customer Data upon termination of the franchise agreement.

While the FDD defines Customer Data and establishes its confidential nature, it lacks explicit instructions on the procedure for handling this data upon termination of the franchise agreement. This absence of detail could create uncertainty for franchisees regarding their obligations and potential liabilities related to customer information when the franchise ends.

A prospective Bigfoot Forestry franchisee should seek clarification from the franchisor regarding the specific requirements for handling Customer Data upon termination. Specifically, they should ask to whom the data must be transferred, in what format, and what security measures must be taken to protect the data during and after the transfer. Understanding these obligations is crucial for ensuring compliance and avoiding potential legal issues related to data privacy and confidentiality.