Does the Buff City Soap Confidentiality Agreement cover financial data and statements?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| , | a | company | with | an | address | at | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ("Developer"), for itself and on behalf of Franchisor, its franchisor | |||||||
| pursuant to the | ADA dated | between | Developer | and | Franchisor, | and | |
| , an individual having an address at ("Designated | |||||||
| Principal" or "you"), hereby enter into this Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement | (this | ||||||
| "Agreement"), effective as of, ("Effective Date") and agree as follows: | |||||||
| forth in Attachment E-1. | All defined terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined will have the meanings set | ||||||
| A. | Confidentiality. |
- (1) Developer and Designated Principal, for their mutual benefit, desire to have Franchisor disclose to Designated Principal certain Confidential Information Purpose.
- (2) Confidential Information means any and all information, knowledge, know-how, trade secrets, trade dress, methodologies, techniques, procedures, applications and materials, in whatever form, used in or related to the System which Franchisor provides to Developer, or which Developer or its Affiliates or its employees develop or have access to, in connection with this Agreement or the operation of a Makery hereunder, including, without limitation, the Standards; the Manuals; any component ingredients, formulae and recipes applicable to Products; Franchisor's or its Affiliates product sourcing, pricing, manufacturing, inventory management and control, supply and distribution; technology, point of sale and related computer software; advertising, marketing and promotional programs including gift card, loyalty and customer reward programs; customer data; financial data and statements;
Source: Item 18 — PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. (FDD pages 186–204)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Buff City Soap Franchise Disclosure Document, the Confidentiality Agreement does cover financial data and statements. The agreement is designed to protect sensitive information that Buff City Soap shares with potential or current franchisees. This includes not only trade secrets and operational details but also specific financial information.
The agreement defines "Confidential Information" to include, but not limited to, the Standards; the Manuals; any component ingredients, formulae and recipes applicable to Products; Franchisor's or its Affiliates product sourcing, pricing, manufacturing, inventory management and control, supply and distribution; technology, point of sale and related computer software; advertising, marketing and promotional programs including gift card, loyalty and customer reward programs; customer data; financial data and statements; training and operational methodology, content (including without limitation, inventory and financial controls) and management programs and any other information or data regarding the business of Franchisor or any of its Affiliates that would reasonably be considered the proprietary or confidential information of Franchisor or its Affiliates.
This means that as a Buff City Soap franchisee, you are obligated to keep any financial data or statements you receive confidential. This extends to data related to product sourcing, pricing, manufacturing, inventory management, and other financial controls. The agreement specifies that this information can be in any form, whether tangible or intangible, and communicated in writing, orally, or through visual observation. Franchisees must safeguard this information and only use it for the purpose outlined in the agreement, which is typically related to operating and managing their Buff City Soap franchise. Unauthorized disclosure or use of this information could lead to legal repercussions.
Buff City Soap also requires that upon discovery of any unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information, the franchisee must notify Buff City Soap immediately and cooperate to help regain possession of the confidential information and prevent further unauthorized use or disclosure. This highlights the importance Buff City Soap places on protecting its confidential information and the responsibility it places on its franchisees to maintain that confidentiality.