Does the Canine Dimensions agreement establish a term or duration of employment for the employee?
Canine_Dimensions Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
A. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
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- Employee acknowledges and agrees that Employer is engaged in a highly competitive business and that Employer and Franchisor (as defined below) possess trade secrets, confidential and proprietary information (the "Confidential Information") which have been acquired, developed and maintained at considerable cost to Employer and Franchisor, which is not generally known outside the companies, and which, if disclosed to a competitor, would be harmful to Employer and/or Franchisor. For the purposes of this Agreement, "Franchisor" shall be defined to include Canine Dimensions Franchising, LLC, whose principal place of business is 23208 Sanabria Loop, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135. This Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to the following:
- a. price lists and marketing plans and strategies;
- b. proprietary computer software functions, capabilities, code, manuals, fixes, work arounds, revision plans, etc.;
- c. customer lists, customer identities, customer contacts and customer preferences (including identities and plans for approaching potential customers);
- d. any and all information contained in the Confidential Manual;
- e. all forms, instructions, processes, procedures, graphics, pictures, diagrams associated with operation of the Franchised Business;
- f. suppliers and vendors of Franchisor.
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- Employee understands and acknowledges that during the course of his employment by the Employer he has learned of, will learn of (and may develop), and has and will have access to Confidential Information of the Employer and Franchisor in order to properly and effectively discharge his duties.
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- Employee hereby agrees that at all times, both during Employee's employment and after the termination thereof (for whatever reason, and whether voluntary or not), Employee will maintain the secrecy and confidentiality of the Confidential Information and that he will not reveal, disclose, divulge or make known to any person or entity, or copy or use for his own account, any of the Confidential Information as defined above.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
The 2025 Canine Dimensions Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) includes a sample agreement related to employee confidentiality, but it does not specify a term or duration of employment. The agreement focuses on protecting Canine Dimensions' confidential information and trade secrets, both during and after an employee's tenure.
The agreement emphasizes that employees will have access to sensitive information, such as price lists, marketing plans, software details, customer lists, and operational processes. To safeguard this information, employees must maintain its secrecy and confidentiality, refraining from disclosing or using it for personal gain, even after their employment ends. This obligation extends indefinitely, regardless of the reason for termination.
While the FDD does not define a specific employment term, it highlights the importance of protecting Canine Dimensions' proprietary information. A prospective franchisee should inquire with Canine Dimensions about their standard employment contracts, including details on employment duration, termination policies, and any additional clauses related to employee responsibilities and obligations.