factual

What specific understanding does the Individual acknowledge regarding Checkers' Confidential Information?

Checkers Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

nowledged by me as) Confidential Information for the purposes of this Agreement, except information which I can demonstrate came to my attention before disclosure or which had become or becomes a part of the public domain through publication or communication by others (unless the publication or communication violates a similar confidentiality agreement), but in no event through any act of mine.

I specifically understand that, without limitation, all the above items, concepts, and/or examples contained in the preceding paragraph constitute Confidential Information of Franchisor, and I will not divert any business to competitors of Franchisee and/or Franchisor. I will at no time copy, duplicate, record or otherwise reproduce any of the Confidential Information or material containing it, in whole or in part, store them in a computer retrieval or database, nor otherwise make the them available to any unauthorized person.

I further agree that, during the term of my employment/service/association or ownership participation, I will not, directly or indirectly, engage or participate in any Competitive Business (defined below in this paragraph), any of which such prohibited behavior I understand and hereby explicitly acknowledge would or could be injurious to, or (in Franchisor's sole judgment) have an adverse effect upon, Franchisor's protectable interests in the Confidential Information, the "Checkers" trademark, or the goodwill and/or reputation of Restaurants generally. I agree that I am prohibited from engaging in any Competitive Business as a proprietor, partner, investor, shareholder, director, officer, employee, principal, agent, advisor, or consultant. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Competitive Business" means any business that: (i) operates as a restaurant or similar food-service provider and derives more than twenty percent (20%) of its revenue from selling hamburgers, cheeseburgers and hot dogs in a fast-food, quick-service, drive-thru or drive-in format; or (ii) grants franchises or licenses to others to operate the type of business specified in the preceding subparagraph (i) (other than a "Checkers" or "Rally's"branded restaurant operated under a franchise agreement with Franchisor). Despite the foregoing definition of a Competitive Business, nothing under this Agreement or the Franchise Agreement will prevent Individual from owning for investment purposes less than five percent (5%) of a Competitive Business whose stock or other forms of ownership interest are publicly traded on a recognized United States stock exchange, and so long as neither Individual nor Franchisee controls the company in question.

Upon the expiration or other termination for any reason of my employment, association, service or ownership participation, I agree:

(i) to return immediately to Franchisor or Franchisee, as the case may be, all Confidential Information, and any material(s) containing a subset thereof, in my possession that was utilized, or to which I had access,

  • during my employment, association, service or ownership participation;
  • (ii) to refrain, beginning upon such expiration or termination and forever thereafter, from any and all contacts with customers of Restaurants for any purpose whatsoever; and
  • (iii) for a period of two (2) years, starting on the effective date of termination or expiration of my employment/service/association or ownership participation, to refrain from directly or indirectly (such as through any one or more of my spouse, legally-recognized domestic partner, parents, children or sibling(s) (collectively, "Immediate Family")) owning a legal or beneficial interest in, or render services or give advice to: (a) any Competitive Business operating at the Premises or within a three (3)-mile radius of the Premises; (b) any Competitive Business operating within a radius of three (3) miles of any Restaurant in operation or under construction on the effective date of termination or expiration of my employment/service/association/ ownership participation; or (c) any entity which grants franchises, licenses or other interests to others to operate any Competitive Business.

I acknowledge and understand that the provisions of this Agreement, including my representations, covenants, and warranties (as applicable) given hereunder, are necessary and integral to this Agreement and to Franchisor's and Franchisee's interests under the Franchise Agreement, and are intended to:

  • (i) preclude not only direct competition, but also all forms of indirect competition, such as consultation for Competitive Businesses, service as an independent contractor for Competitive Businesses, or any assistance or transmission of information of any kind which would be of any material assistance to a competitor;

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 91–92)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Checkers' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the individual acknowledges that all items, concepts, and examples constitute Confidential Information of Checkers. The individual agrees not to divert any business to competitors of the franchisee or Checkers. They also agree not to copy, duplicate, record, or reproduce any of the Confidential Information, store it in a computer retrieval system, or make it available to any unauthorized person.

During their term of employment, service, association, or ownership participation, the individual agrees not to engage in any Competitive Business, which is defined as a restaurant deriving more than 20% of its revenue from selling hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and hot dogs in a fast-food format, or granting franchises to others to operate such a business. This acknowledgment explicitly recognizes that such behavior could harm Checkers' interests in its Confidential Information, trademark, or the goodwill and reputation of its restaurants. The individual is prohibited from engaging in any Competitive Business as a proprietor, partner, investor, shareholder, director, officer, employee, principal, agent, advisor, or consultant.

Upon the expiration or termination of their employment, association, service, or ownership participation, the individual agrees not to communicate, divulge, or use Checkers' confidential information for the benefit of any other person or entity. This includes information relating to the development and operation of restaurants, such as ingredients, recipes, site selection criteria, marketing programs, supplier identities, operating results, inventory control methods, computer systems, and any other information designated as proprietary or confidential. The individual acknowledges that any information designated as confidential by Checkers or its officers is considered Confidential Information, except for information that was already known or in the public domain through no fault of their own.

Checkers also requires franchisees to exert their best efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, regardless of its format or medium of transmission. Franchisees may not make unauthorized copies and must implement all commercially reasonable procedures prescribed by Checkers to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure. This includes requiring personnel who attend training or have access to Confidential Information to sign nondisclosure agreements.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.