Does the Carbones Pizzeria franchise agreement permit franchisees to discuss recipes with anyone?
Carbones_Pizzeria Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 22–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carbones Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are restricted in sharing the Secret Recipes. Carbones Pizzeria considers these recipes trade secrets and may, under certain circumstances and at their discretion, provide them to the franchisee.
The franchise agreement states that franchisees cannot reveal the Secret Recipes to anyone except employees who need to know the recipes to perform their job functions. Even then, the disclosure must be limited to what is necessary for the proper operation of the Restaurant.
Furthermore, franchisees must ensure that no copies of the Secret Recipes are made, except for the minimum number required for efficient operation. When not in use, all copies must be locked in a secure container accessible only to Restaurant managers or owners. Before revealing any part of the Secret Recipes to any employee or owner, the franchisee must obtain a signed agreement from that individual, in a form acceptable to Carbones Pizzeria.