For Carls franchisees, what specific Next Generation Connectivity equipment and services are required to receive Support Services from CKR?
Carls Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
- 2.3 Required Equipment. Franchisee must install the following Next Generation Connectivity equipment and services in order to receive Support Services from CKR: 1) Cisco Meraki Firewall/Router with Advanced Security License; 2) Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Points, Cisco Meraki 48 port switch; 3) highly reliable internet with auto failover LTE backup; 4) Wi-Fi for guests (if Internet speeds are fast enough to support it) and back of house operations.
Franchisee must contract with a CKR approved managed service provider to monitor and maintain their network equipment (currently this is limited to AT&T and One Source Communications).
Franchisee agrees to procure and install such required dedicated data lines, including telephone and/or high-speed Internet connections, modems and other computer-related accessory or peripheral equipment as specified by CKR and/or Franchisor.
Franchisee's dedicated data lines for each Franchised Restaurant are identified in Exhibit A.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 80–480)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Carls's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must install specific Next Generation Connectivity equipment and services to receive support services from CKR. This includes a Cisco Meraki Firewall/Router with Advanced Security License, Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Points, and a Cisco Meraki 48 port switch. Franchisees also need to have a highly reliable internet connection with auto failover LTE backup, as well as Wi-Fi for guests (if internet speeds are sufficient) and for back-of-house operations.
Carls franchisees are also required to contract with a CKR-approved managed service provider to monitor and maintain their network equipment. Currently, the approved providers are limited to AT&T and One Source Communications. Additionally, franchisees must procure and install dedicated data lines, including telephone and/or high-speed internet connections, modems, and other computer-related equipment as specified by CKR.
These requirements ensure that Carls franchisees have a standardized and reliable technology infrastructure, which is essential for efficient operations and support. The dedicated data lines for each franchised restaurant are detailed in Exhibit A of the Software Support Agreement. By adhering to these standards, franchisees can receive the necessary support services from CKR and maintain consistent performance across all locations.