Does Brueggers Bagels have registered copyrights in any of the 'Works'?

According to the 2025 Brueggers Bagels Franchise Disclosure Document, while Brueggers Bagels and its affiliates claim copyright protection for certain materials, they have not registered the copyrights in any of these 'Works'. The 'Works' include manuals, training materials, advertisements, promotional materials, labels, menus, posters, coupons, gift certificates, signs, websites, store designs, and prototype plans and specifications.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that while you are authorized to use these materials for developing and operating your Brueggers Bagels bakery, the copyright for these materials is not officially registered. This could potentially have implications regarding the enforcement of copyright protection against third parties who might misuse or copy these materials without authorization.

Brueggers Bagels protects recipes and manufacturing processes as trade secrets. Franchisees must maintain strict secrecy regarding recipes, manufacturing processes, manuals, training materials, approved suppliers, supply arrangements, advertising and promotional plans, sales performance, financial records, and other designated confidential information. Unauthorized reproduction or disclosure to unauthorized persons is prohibited, and confidential information can only be shared with employees, contractors, and landlords with prior written approval. Franchisees must also inform Brueggers Bagels of any unauthorized copying or use of confidential information or the 'Works'.