Does the definition of 'Confidential Information' for Buff City Soap include technology?
Buff_City_Soap Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (e) "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 Franchisee, or which Franchisee or its Affiliates or employees develop or have access to, in connection with this Agreement or the operation of a Buff City Soap makery hereunder, including, without limitation, the Standards; The Manuals; any components and ingredients, formulae and formulations applicable to Products; Franchisor's or its Affiliate's product and raw materials 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.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 69–186)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Buff City Soap's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the definition of 'Confidential Information' does include technology. Specifically, the FDD states that confidential information includes "technology, point of sale, and related computer software".
This means that as a Buff City Soap franchisee, you are obligated to protect all technology-related information provided to you by the franchisor. This includes point-of-sale systems, computer software, and any other technology used in the operation of the business. You are responsible for ensuring that this information is not disclosed to unauthorized parties.
The broad definition of 'Confidential Information' in the Franchise Agreement means a franchisee must be diligent in protecting various aspects of the Buff City Soap business. This obligation extends not only to the franchisee but also to their affiliates and employees, highlighting the importance of training and internal controls to safeguard sensitive business data and systems.