Does the Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement for Burros Fries address the use of confidential information?
Burros_Fries Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
modifications to the restaurant must first be approved by us and are Franchisee's sole responsibility and expense.
D. Maintain Confidentiality of Proprietary Information
Neither Franchisee nor any of its Owners if you are an Entity, officers, directors, agents, employees or independent contractors, except as required in the performance of the duties contemplated by this Agreement, may disclose or use at any time, whether during the term of this Agreement or thereafter, any confidential and proprietary information disclosed to or known by Franchisee or any such person as a result of this Agreement. Such information, includes, but shall not be limited to our confidential matters and trade secrets such as our: strategies for site acquisition, build-out, design and décor specifications; distinctive Products, Services, proprietary recipes, sauces and home-made ice cream; specific food preparation techniques, methods, procedures including standards; specifications and purchasing strategies for all products, supplies and kitchen equipment; inventory management systems, vendors and supplier relationships, cost and pricing strategies, retail center setup, merchandising strategies, procedures for cleanliness, safety, sanitation and quality control; software, service methods and techniques, operational procedures, service standards, employee hiring, training and retention programs; menus, photographs of food, sales, advertising, marketing and promotional materials; forms, contracts, record keeping, reporting procedures and accounting methods, proprietary information conceived, originated, discovered, or developed by Franchisee or by any employee of Franchisee which is not generally known in the trade or industry about our Products or Services, including information relating to discoveries, ideas, production, purchasing, accounting, engineering, website development and design, marketing, merchandising or selling of Products and Services (collectively referred to as "Confidential Information" and further defined in Section 16.A of this Agreement).
Franchisee further acknowledges that the Confidential Information was unknown to Franchisee prior to negotiation for and execution of this Agreement and that the unique and novel combination of "know how," methods, processes and techniques developed by us and licensed to Franchisee for the operation of a Burros & Fries Business are particular to the food service industry conducted by your Business. Franchisee agrees to take all steps necessary, at Franchisee's expense, to protect the Confidential Information and shall not release it to any person that does not have a need to know, including employees,
agents and independent contractors, either during the term or after the termination or expiration of this Agreement without our prior written consent.
Franchisee further agrees that it will not contest in any litigation, arbitration, mediation, or in any other manner our ownership rights to any or all of the above Confidential Information.
E. Maintain and Renovate the Business
Franchisee shall at all times maintain the Business in a clean, orderly condition and in first class repair in accordance with all maintenance and operating standards set forth in the Manual. Franchisee shall make, at Franchisee's expense, all additions, repairs, replacements improvements and alterations that may be determined by us to be necessary so that the facilities which are viewed by the public will conform to the uniform corporate image, as may be prescribed by us from time to time. Franchisee shall undertake and complete such additions, repairs, replacements, improvements and alterations within the time and under the terms and conditions, which we may reasonably specify.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 53)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Burros Fries's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchise agreement includes provisions to maintain the confidentiality of proprietary information. Franchisees and their personnel are prohibited from disclosing or using confidential information, whether during or after the term of the agreement, except when required for their duties. This information encompasses a wide range of trade secrets and confidential matters, including strategies for site acquisition, build-out specifications, proprietary recipes, food preparation techniques, purchasing strategies, and operational procedures.
The agreement emphasizes that this confidential information was previously unknown to the franchisee and is unique to the Burros Fries business. Franchisees must take necessary steps to protect this information and not release it to anyone without prior written consent. This obligation extends to employees, agents, and independent contractors, both during and after the agreement's term.
Furthermore, the franchise agreement specifies that for a period of five years after the agreement expires or terminates, the franchisee cannot use or divulge any confidential information without written consent from Burros Fries. This includes operating procedures, food preparation methods, product knowledge, pricing strategies, and marketing methods. Franchisees are also responsible for ensuring their employees do not disclose confidential information, and they must adhere to all security procedures, including executing and delivering required documents to Burros Fries.