What action is a Prospective Licensee required to take regarding all copies of the Operating Manual and tangible embodiments of Confidential Information upon completion of the evaluation process with Budget?

According to Budget's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Prospective Licensee is required to return all copies of the Operating Manual and all other tangible embodiments containing any Confidential Information to Budget upon completion of the evaluation process. This includes any notes or analyses made by the Prospective Licensee or any Permitted Party. This requirement is part of the Confidentiality Agreement that the Prospective Licensee agrees to when being given access to Budget's Operating Manual.

This provision ensures that Budget's confidential business information remains protected if the Prospective Licensee decides not to enter into a License Agreement with Budget. The Operating Manual contains confidential information and trade secrets of Budget, and the company takes measures to protect this information. By requiring the return of all copies and tangible embodiments, Budget aims to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of its proprietary information.

Failure to comply with this requirement could result in legal action. The agreement states that a breach of any provision will cause Budget irreparable injury, and Budget is entitled to injunctive relief without bond to stop any violation of the agreement. Additionally, Budget can recover attorney's fees, court costs, and other expenses incurred in enforcing the agreement, which highlights the importance of adhering to the confidentiality terms during the evaluation process.