Who is responsible for the maintenance costs of the proprietary software for a Burros Fries franchise?

According to the 2024 Burros Fries Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is responsible for protecting the confidentiality of the franchisor's proprietary information, which includes software. The franchisee agrees to take all necessary steps, at the franchisee's expense, to protect this confidential information and not release it to anyone without prior written consent. This suggests that the franchisee bears the costs associated with maintaining the confidentiality of the software, but it does not explicitly state who is responsible for the software's maintenance costs.

While the FDD excerpt details the franchisee's responsibility to protect confidential information like software, it does not specify who is responsible for the actual maintenance costs of the proprietary software used in the Burros Fries franchise. The document emphasizes the protection of trade secrets and confidential information, placing the onus on the franchisee to prevent unauthorized disclosure at their own expense.

To fully understand the financial obligations, a prospective Burros Fries franchisee should seek clarification from the franchisor regarding who is responsible for covering the maintenance costs of the proprietary software. This includes understanding whether the franchisor provides updates and support as part of the franchise agreement or if the franchisee needs to budget separately for these expenses.