Does Burros Fries consider knowledge of software to be 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.
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.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 53)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Burros Fries's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the brand considers software and related knowledge to be confidential and proprietary information. Franchisees are prohibited from disclosing or using this information, which includes software, service methods, and techniques, whether during the term of the agreement or after its termination. This extends to the design and development of the software, which Burros Fries considers a valuable product representing a significant investment of time and resources. Franchisees must take necessary steps to protect this information and prevent unauthorized access or use.
This confidentiality extends to all information stored in any computer, tablet, or POS system related to the Burros Fries business, which becomes the franchisor's confidential and proprietary information. Franchisees are restricted from making the software available to anyone other than their or Burros Fries's employees without prior written consent. They are also prohibited from copying, translating, reverse engineering, or creating derivative works from the software.
For a prospective Burros Fries franchisee, this means they must exercise extreme caution in handling all software and data related to the business. They need to implement robust security measures to prevent unauthorized access and ensure that all employees are aware of and adhere to these confidentiality obligations. Failure to comply with these requirements could lead to termination of the franchise agreement. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as franchisors need to protect their intellectual property and operational systems.