What must a Buona franchisee do with printed copies of the Manual upon expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement?

According to Buona's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination of the Franchise Agreement, a franchisee must either return any printed copies of the Manual to Buona or destroy any files containing the Manual. This also applies at times as may otherwise be directed by Buona. The Manual remains the sole property of Buona at all times, as it is loaned to the franchisee.

This requirement ensures that Buona maintains control over its proprietary and confidential information, which is crucial for preserving its competitive advantage. The Manual contains trade secrets, operational processes, service details, product information, and know-how that are unique to the Buona system.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that access to the Manual and its contents is contingent upon the active Franchise Agreement. Once the agreement ends, the franchisee loses the right to possess or use this information. This obligation extends not only to physical copies but also to any electronic files containing the Manual, reinforcing the importance of data security and confidentiality. Failure to comply with this requirement could expose the former franchisee to legal repercussions, as unauthorized use or dissemination of Buona's trade secrets can cause irreparable harm to the franchisor and its system.