factual

Does the Confidentiality and Non-Compete Agreement for Burros Fries prohibit any specific actions by the franchisee?

Burros_Fries Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer 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.

If at any time, in our sole and absolute discretion, the general state of repair, appearance or cleanliness of the Business or its kitchen equipment, fixtures, furnishings or signage does not meet our standards, Franchisee expressly agrees that we have the right to notify Franchisee, specifying the action Franchisee must take to correct the deficiency. If Franchisee does not initiate action to correct such deficiencies within ten (10) days after Franchisee receives notice from us, and then does not continue in good faith and with due diligence, a bona fide program to complete any required maintenance and refurbishing, we have the right, in addition to all other remedies, to enter the premises of the Business and do any required maintenance or refurbishing on Franchisee's behalf, and Franchisee agrees to reimburse us on demand for any expenses we incur.

Franchisee shall maintain and renovate the Business at its expense, to conform to our design, trade dress, color schemes, and presentation of trademarks and service marks consistent with our designated image, including, without limitation, remodeling, redecoration and modifications to existing improvements.

F. Maintain Competent Staff

We will create and make available to Franchisee and its Owners (if Franchisee is an Entity), training programs and other selected training materials, as we deem appropriate. Unless otherwise approved in writing by us, Franchisee or one of its Owners must personally manage the day-to-day operation of the Business for at least the first year Franchisee's Business is open for operation. After Franchisee's first year of operation, Franchisee must staff a position to have day-to-day supervision for the operation and management of the Business (referred to as "General Manager") and the identity of the General Manager must at all times be disclosed to us.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 53)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to the 2024 Burros Fries Franchise Disclosure Document, both confidentiality and non-compete agreements place specific restrictions on franchisee behavior.

The confidentiality agreement prohibits franchisees and their personnel from disclosing or using confidential information, which includes strategies for site acquisition, proprietary recipes, food preparation techniques, purchasing strategies, and marketing materials. This obligation extends both during the term of the Franchise Agreement and after its termination or expiration. Franchisees must take steps to protect this information and only share it with those who have a need to know.

The non-compete agreement states that during the term of the agreement and for two years after a transfer, expiration, or termination, the franchisee cannot own, operate, or have any interest in a business using the Burros Fries system or concept with similar products or services within a ten-mile radius of the franchise location or any other Burros Fries franchise or company-owned business. This restriction applies unless Burros Fries gives written approval.

Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must immediately cease using any confidential information, trade secrets, procedures, or descriptions of products and services associated with Burros Fries. They must also stop using any names, marks, logos, or devices associated with the system and make changes to signage and vehicles to distinguish the business from its former appearance as a Burros Fries location. Franchisees also cannot represent themselves as a current or former franchisee, nor can they notify guests of the termination or expiration of the agreement without prior written consent from Burros Fries.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.