Under what circumstances might the Carbones Pizzeria franchisor provide the secret recipes to the franchisee?
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 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 30–116)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carbones Pizzeria Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor owns the secret recipes that give Carbone's pizzas their unique qualities. The franchisor may, under certain circumstances and at their sole discretion, agree to provide the franchisee with these secret recipes.
However, the franchisee must acknowledge that these recipes are considered "trade secrets" under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act, as adopted by the State of Minnesota. This means the franchisee has a legal obligation to protect the confidentiality of these recipes.
The franchisee can only reveal the secret recipes to employees who need to know them for their job functions, and only to the extent necessary for the restaurant's operation. The franchisee must also ensure that no copies of the recipes are made, except for the minimum number needed 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 an employee or owner, the franchisee must obtain a signed agreement from them to maintain the secrecy of the recipes, in a form acceptable to Carbones Pizzeria.