If Bumper Man establishes an Intranet, who controls the content and functionality?
Bumper_Man Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (c) Intranet. Franchisor may, at its option, establish and maintain an Intranet through which Franchisor and Franchisee may communicate with each other. Franchisor will have control over all aspects of the Intranet, including the content and functionality thereof. At Franchisor's option, Franchisor may post, update and disseminate the Manual and other Confidential Information through the Intranet. Any passwords or other digital identifications necessary to access the Manual on the Intranet will be deemed to be part of Confidential Information. If established, Franchisee will have the mere privilege to use the Intranet, subject to Franchisee's strict compliance with the Standards. Franchisee acknowledges that, as administrator of the Intranet, Franchisor can access and view any communication that any Person posts on the Intranet. Franchisee further acknowledges that the Intranet facility and all communications that are posted or to be posted to it will become Franchisor's sole property, free of any claims of privacy or privilege that Franchisee or any other Person may assert. If established, Franchisor will have no obligation to maintain the Intranet indefinitely, and may modify or dismantle it at any time without liability to Franchisee.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 45–180)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Bumper Man Franchise Disclosure Document, if Bumper Man chooses to establish an Intranet, the franchisor retains full control over all aspects of it. This includes the content and functionality of the Intranet. Bumper Man may use the Intranet to post, update, and disseminate the Manual and other confidential information. Franchisees would only have the privilege to use the Intranet while strictly adhering to Bumper Man's standards.
As administrator of the Intranet, Bumper Man can access and view any communication posted by any person on the Intranet. All communications posted or to be posted on the Intranet become the sole property of Bumper Man, without any claims of privacy or privilege from the franchisee or any other person.
Bumper Man has no obligation to maintain the Intranet indefinitely and can modify or dismantle it at any time without liability to the franchisee. This means that while a franchisee may come to rely on the Intranet for important information and communication, Bumper Man can change or discontinue it at will. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors need to maintain control over their brand and system standards.