Does Carls Jr. allow the use of electronic signatures for the Franchise Agreement?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
[Item 23: RECEIPTS]
- 1. As used in this Agreement, the term "Confidential Information" means all information contained in the OPM and all other information relating to the Carl's Jr. System disclosed to me except: information which is now or hereafter becomes generally known (other than by unauthorized disclosure, whether deliberate or inadvertent, by myself or by any other person, firm or corporation with which I am affiliated); information that was in my possession at the time of receipt of the OPM; and information that comes into my possession after the date of this Agreement from a source not under an obligation of secrecy to CJR.
- 2. I agree not to make any use of the Confidential Information, not to make any copies of the Confidential Information and not to reveal any of the Confidential Information to any person who has not signed a Confidentiality Agreement with CJR. In the event I want to disclose the Confidential Information to my partners, employees, advisors or other representatives, I will ensure that such partner, employee, advisor or other representative: (A) has a reasonable need to know the Confidential Information in connection with the evaluation of the franchise opportunity; and (B) has been advised of the confidential nature of the Confidential Information and has agreed to maintain the confidential nature.
- 3. If I do not enter into a Development or Franchise Agreement with CJR, or at any time upon request of CJR, I will: (A) return all copies of the OPM to CJR (and/or certify that I have destroyed or deleted all electronic copies of the OPM); (B) immediately cease to use the Confidential Information; and (C) certify in writing that all of my partners, employees, advisors or other representatives to whom I have disclosed the Confidential Information have complied with this Section.
- 4. This Agreement will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which I reside.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 76–364)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, it is not possible to determine whether Carls Jr. permits the use of electronic signatures on the Franchise Agreement. The provided excerpts from Item 23, Receipts, do not mention electronic signatures or any policies related to signing the agreement.
Item 23 primarily discusses the definition and handling of confidential information, the franchisee's obligations regarding the Carl's Jr. system, and various addenda related to commencement dates and lease agreements. These sections outline the franchisee's responsibilities in maintaining the confidentiality of the franchisor's proprietary information and adhering to the terms of the franchise and lease agreements.
To determine whether Carls Jr. accepts electronic signatures, a prospective franchisee should directly inquire with the franchisor. Specifically, they should ask about the approved methods for signing the Franchise Agreement and whether electronic signatures are an acceptable option.