To whom can a Carls Jr. franchisee disclose the contents of the Operation Procedures Manual (OPM)?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The OPM contains detailed standards, specifications, instructions, requirements, methods and procedures for management and operation of the Franchised Restaurant. The OPM also may relate to the selection, purchase, storage, preparation, packaging, ingredients, recipes, service and sale of all products and beverages sold at the Franchised Restaurant; management and employee training; marketing, advertising and sales promotions; maintenance and repair of the Franchised Restaurant building, grounds, equipment, graphics, signs, interior and exterior decor items, fixtures and furnishings; employee dress attire and appearance standards; menu concept and graphics; and accounting, bookkeeping, records retention and other business systems, procedures, operations and brand standards. Franchisee agrees at all times to operate the Franchised Restaurant in strict conformity with the OPM; to maintain the OPM at the Franchised Restaurant; to not reproduce the OPM or any part of it; and to treat the OPM as confidential and proprietary, and; to disclose the contents of the OPM only to those employees of Franchisee who have a need to know.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 75–76)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is restricted in who they can share the contents of the Operations Procedures Manual (OPM) with. The OPM contains detailed standards, specifications, instructions, requirements, methods, and procedures for the management and operation of the franchised restaurant. It covers various aspects such as product selection, employee training, marketing, maintenance, and accounting.
The Carls Jr. franchisee agrees to operate the franchised restaurant in strict compliance with the OPM and to maintain its confidentiality. The franchisee is explicitly prohibited from reproducing the OPM or any part of it.
The FDD states that the franchisee can only disclose the contents of the OPM to those employees who have a need to know. This means the franchisee must ensure that only necessary information is shared with employees to maintain the confidentiality and proprietary nature of the OPM.