What actions must a Carvel franchisee take to protect the confidentiality of the manuals?
Carvel Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You copy or permit others to copy any portion of the Manuals, except for forms and similar items included in them for the express purpose of copying, or fail to take all necessary precautions to ensure that the Manuals are kept free from theft, unauthorized copying, unauthorized access, fire, or other acts that may jeopardize the confidentiality of its contents.
You agree that we own all proprietary rights in and to the System and the Manuals. The Manuals will at all times remain our property and you and all your directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, managers, employees, agents, independent contractors, and others who gain access to the Manuals and the information contained in the Manuals will treat the Manuals and the information in the Manuals as our Confidential Information (defined below).
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 100–353)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Carvel's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must take specific actions to protect the confidentiality of the manuals. Carvel will provide the franchisee with either a hard copy or electronic access to the manuals during the term of the agreement. The franchisee does not own the manuals, and they remain Carvel's property.
To protect the confidentiality of the manuals, the franchisee must ensure that the manuals are kept free from theft, unauthorized copying, or unauthorized access. They must also protect the manuals from fire or other acts that may jeopardize the confidentiality of their contents. The franchisee cannot copy or allow others to copy any portion of the manuals, except for forms and similar items included for the express purpose of copying.
All directors, officers, shareholders, partners, members, managers, employees, agents, independent contractors, and others who gain access to the manuals must treat the manuals and the information contained within them as confidential information belonging to Carvel. Failure to comply with these measures constitutes a violation of the franchise agreement and could lead to termination.