factual

What is Browns Chicken's definition of 'Confidential Information'?

Browns_Chicken Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

  • A. Brown possesses certain unique, confidential and proprietary information and trade secrets, including but not limited to the following categories of information, methods, techniques, procedures, and knowledge developed by Brown and/or its franchisees (the "Confidential Information"): (1) recipes, methods, procedures and techniques for preparing, packaging, serving and delivering chicken and other food products; (2) methods, techniques, specifications, procedures, information, systems and knowledge of and experience in the development, operation and franchising of BROWN'S Stores; (3) marketing programs; and (4) methods of training of managers and other personnel.

  • B. Brown will disclose the Confidential Information to Franchisee during training, in the Operating Manual and in guidance and assistance furnished to Franchisee during the term of the Franchise. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that he will not acquire any interest in the Confidential Information, other than the right to utilize it in the operation of the Store and that the use or duplication of the Confidential Information in any other business would constitute an unfair method of competition with Brown and other BROWN'S franchises.

  • C. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information is a valuable asset of Brown, includes trade secrets of Brown and is disclosed to Franchisee solely on the condition that Franchisee agrees, and Franchisee does hereby agree, that he: (1) will not use the Confidential Information in any other business or capacity; (2) will maintain the absolute secrecy and confidentiality of the Confidential Information during and after the term of this Agreement; (3) will not make unauthorized copies of any portion of the Confidential Information disclosed in written form; and (4) will adopt and implement all reasonable procedures prescribed from time to time by Brown to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information, including without limitation, restrictions on disclosure thereof to employees of Franchisee, and the use of Brown's customary non-disclosure and/or non-competition clauses in employment agreements with employees who have access to the Confidential Information.

In connection with this obligation, Franchisee shall notify Brown of the name and address of each affiliate, officer, director, partner, supervisory employee and owner of Franchisee and shall update such information whenever necessary.

Such notification shall contain and have annexed thereto a copy of a confidentiality and noncompetition agreement in a form satisfactory to Brown, executed by the individual at the time he or she acquires an interest in or becomes associated with Franchisee in which such individual consents to be bound by the restrictive covenants contained in said agreement and to Brown's and Franchisee's enforcement of such covenants.

The obligations of Franchisee pursuant to this Section 14 shall survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.

  • D. Innovations. All ideas, concepts, techniques, and marketing, advertising or other materials relating to a restaurant offering chicken, pasta, and sandwiches, whether or not protectable intellectual property and whether created by or for Franchisee or Franchisee's owners or employees, must be promptly disclosed to Brown and will be deemed to be Brown's sole and exclusive property, part of Brown's System, and works made-for-hire for Brown.

To the extent that any item does not qualify as a "work made-for-hire" for Brown, by this paragraph Franchisee assigns ownership of that item, and all related rights to that item, to Brown and agree to take whatever action (including signing assignment or other documents) Brown requests to evidence Brown's ownership or to help Brown in this regard.

Franchisee agrees that Brown shall have the perpetual right to use and authorize other BROWN's Stores to use such ideas, concepts, methods and techniques without further consideration to Franchisee.

  • E. Customer List. The list of customers that Franchisee services during the term of this Franchise Agreement is Brown's Proprietary Information and property.

At the expiration or termination of this Franchise Agreement for any reason, Franchisee will promptly turn over to Brown the entire list of customers and Franchisee will make no further use of that list for any purpose whatsoever.

Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 43)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Browns Chicken's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Confidential Information encompasses unique, confidential, and proprietary details and trade secrets developed by Browns Chicken and its franchisees. This includes recipes, methods, and procedures for preparing, packaging, serving, and delivering food products, as well as the systems, knowledge, and experience related to the development, operation, and franchising of Browns Chicken stores. Marketing programs and methods of training managers and other personnel also fall under this definition.

Browns Chicken will disclose this Confidential Information to the franchisee during training, through the Operating Manual, and via ongoing guidance and assistance throughout the franchise term. The franchisee acknowledges that they do not acquire any ownership interest in the Confidential Information, beyond the right to use it for operating their Browns Chicken store. The agreement explicitly states that using or duplicating this information in any other business would be considered unfair competition against Browns Chicken and its other franchisees.

The Franchise Agreement emphasizes the importance of maintaining the secrecy and confidentiality of this information both during and after the agreement's term. Franchisees must not use the Confidential Information in any other business, make unauthorized copies of written materials, and must implement procedures to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure, including non-disclosure agreements with employees. Franchisees are also required to notify Browns Chicken of the names and addresses of their affiliates, officers, directors, partners, supervisory employees, and owners, updating this information as necessary.

Furthermore, any ideas, concepts, techniques, or marketing materials related to a restaurant offering chicken, pasta, and sandwiches, whether or not they are protectable intellectual property, must be disclosed to Browns Chicken and will be considered their exclusive property. This extends to customer lists, which Browns Chicken considers proprietary information and property, requiring franchisees to turn over the entire list upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.