What security measures must a Carbones Pizzeria franchisee take to protect recipes?
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 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 must take specific security measures to protect the franchisor's secret recipes. Carbones Pizzeria considers these recipes trade secrets, acknowledging their unique contribution to the pizza's quality, appearance, and taste.
To safeguard these trade secrets, a Carbones Pizzeria franchisee can only reveal the secret recipes to employees who need the information to perform their job duties. The franchisee must limit the number of copies made of the secret recipes to the absolute minimum required for efficient restaurant operations. When not in use, all copies must be locked in a secure container accessible only to restaurant managers or owners.
Prior to sharing any part of the secret recipes with an employee or owner, the Carbones Pizzeria franchisee must obtain a signed agreement from that individual. This agreement is intended to ensure the employee or owner understands and agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the recipes, protecting Carbones Pizzeria's proprietary information.