If the Boulder Designs Manual is in electronic form, how must the franchisee maintain the file?
Boulder_Designs Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Manual contains Trade Secrets and other Confidential Information of Franchisor and approved vendors, and its contents shall be kept confidential by Franchisee and all Covered Persons both during the term of the Franchise and subsequent to the expiration and non-renewal or termination of this Agreement. Franchisee shall at all times ensure that its copy of the Manual is available at the Approved Location in a current and up-to-date manner. Whether the Manual is in paper form or stored on computer-readable media, or both, Franchisee shall maintain the Manual in a secure manner at the Approved Location. If the Manual is in electronic form, Franchisee shall maintain the Manual in a password-true file. Franchisee shall only grant authorized personnel, as defined in the Manual, access to the Manual or any key, combination or passwords needed for access to the Manual. All persons whom Franchisee permits to have access to the Manuals or any other Confidential Information must first be required by Franchisee to sign the Confidentiality Agreement provided by Franchisor. Franchisee shall not disclose, duplicate or otherwise use any portion of the Manual in an unauthorized manner.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 50)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Boulder Designs's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Boulder Designs operations manual contains trade secrets and confidential information. The franchisee must keep its contents confidential during the franchise term and after the agreement expires, is not renewed, or is terminated. The franchisee must ensure the manual is available at the approved location in a current and up-to-date manner.
Whether the manual is in paper form or stored on computer-readable media, the franchisee must maintain it securely at the approved location. If the manual is in electronic form, the franchisee must maintain it in a password-true file. Only authorized personnel, as defined in the manual, can access the manual or any access credentials.
All individuals whom the franchisee allows to access the manuals or other confidential information must sign a confidentiality agreement provided by Boulder Designs. The franchisee cannot disclose, duplicate, or use any portion of the manual in an unauthorized manner. This ensures that sensitive information remains protected and that the franchisee adheres to Boulder Designs's standards and procedures.