What happens if there is a dispute relating to the contents of the Buff City Soap Manuals?

Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Buff City Soap Manuals contain confidential information. If the franchise agreement with Buff City Soap is terminated, the franchisee must cease using the System and Confidential Information in any business or otherwise, and return to Buff City Soap all Confidential Information, including without limitation, copies of the Manuals and any other proprietary or confidential materials that Buff City Soap has loaned to the Franchisee.

This obligation extends to all forms of confidential information, not just the physical manuals. It includes any knowledge, know-how, trade secrets, trade dress, methodologies, techniques, procedures, applications, and materials related to the Buff City Soap system. This covers a wide range of information, from product formulas to marketing programs.

Upon termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is also required to disassociate themselves from Buff City Soap in all communication methods. This includes assigning or canceling any email addresses, domain names, search engine listings, websites, or social media accounts that associate the franchisee with Buff City Soap, the Makery, System, or Marks. The franchisee must also notify the telephone company and directory publishers of the termination of their right to use any telephone numbers or listings associated with Buff City Soap and authorize the transfer of such numbers and listings to Buff City Soap.

These measures ensure that upon termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee completely separates themselves from the Buff City Soap brand and system, protecting the franchisor's confidential information and brand identity. This is a standard practice in franchising to prevent former franchisees from unfairly competing with the franchisor or misrepresenting their affiliation with the brand.