Is a Burros Fries franchisee allowed to reproduce the Manuals without written consent?
Burros_Fries Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Franchisee must keep the methods of operations (confidential information found in our materials and other documents) and Operations Manuals confidential and not disclose them except to Franchisee's employees, agents and representatives, as they must have access to it in order to operate the Business. Franchisee must follow all our security procedures, which include the execution and delivery to us of
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.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 53)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Burros Fries Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are restricted from divulging confidential information, which includes the Operations Manual, without prior written consent. Franchisees are permitted to share the confidential information with their employees, agents, and representatives who need access to it to operate the business.
This restriction extends both during the term of the Franchise Agreement and for a period of five years after its expiration or termination. This measure is in place to protect Burros Fries's proprietary information and maintain the uniformity and standards of the franchise system.
Franchisees must take necessary steps to protect the confidential information and not release it to anyone without a need to know, including employees, agents, and independent contractors, either during the term or after the termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement without Burros Fries's prior written consent. This includes not only the Operations Manual but also other confidential matters and trade secrets of Burros Fries.