Where must copies of the Carbones Pizzeria secret recipes be stored when not in use?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
a. Franchisor owns or controls secret recipes for the various items which give Carbone's pizzas their uniquely appealing quality, appearance and taste (collectively, the "Secret Recipes"). Franchisor may, under certain circumstances and in Franchisor's sole discretion, agree to provide Franchisee with the Secret Recipes. Franchisee further acknowledges and agrees that the Secret Recipes constitute "trade secrets" within the meaning of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, as adopted by the State of Minnesota (Minn. Stat. Ch. 325C) and within the meaning of any trade secrets act of any state reasonably similar in scope and application to the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. Franchisee will not reveal the Secret Recipes to anyone other than the employees of Franchisee who need to know to perform their job functions, and then only as is necessary for the proper operation of the Restaurant. Franchisee agrees that no copies of the Secret Recipes shall be made except for the absolute minimum number necessary for the efficient operation of the Restaurant and that when not in use all copies of the Secret Recipes will be locked in a secure container to which only Restaurant managers or owners of Franchisee have access. Prior to revealing any part of the Secret Recipes to any employee or owner Franchisee will obtain from that employee or owner a signed agreement, in form
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 30–116)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carbones Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee is provided with the secret recipes, they must take precautions to protect them. Specifically, franchisees can only reveal the secret recipes to employees who need to know them to perform their job functions.
Furthermore, the Carbones Pizzeria franchisee must not make copies of the secret recipes except for the minimum number required for efficient restaurant operation. This implies that franchisees should carefully control and track any copies made to prevent unauthorized access or distribution.
When not in use, all copies of the secret recipes must be locked in a secure container. Access to this container is restricted to restaurant managers or the owners of the franchise. This measure ensures that only authorized personnel can access the recipes, reducing the risk of the recipes falling into the wrong hands or being misused. This is a common practice in the franchise industry, especially in food-related franchises where proprietary recipes are a key component of the brand's success.