What does the 'Manual' refer to in the Chocolate Fish Coffee franchise agreement?
Chocolate_Fish_Coffee Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ARTICLE 5. ASSISTANCE
- 5.1 Manual. Chocolate Fish Franchising shall make its Manual available to Franchisee.
ARTICLE 11. FRANCHISOR RIGHTS
- 11.1 Manual; Modification. The Manual, and any part of the Manual, may be in any form or media determined by Chocolate Fish Franchising. Chocolate Fish Franchising may supplement, revise, or modify the Manual, and Chocolate Fish Franchising may change, add or delete System Standards at any time in its discretion. Chocolate Fish Franchising may inform Franchisee thereof by any method that Chocolate Fish Franchising deems appropriate (which need not qualify as "notice" under Section 18.9). In the event of any dispute as to the contents of the Manual, Chocolate Fish Franchising's master copy will control.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 41–119)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Chocolate Fish Coffee's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Manual' refers to the Chocolate Fish Franchising's operations manual. Chocolate Fish Franchising will make its Manual available to the franchisee.
Chocolate Fish Franchising retains the right to modify the manual at any time and inform the franchisee of these changes through any method they deem appropriate. In case of a dispute about the manual's contents, Chocolate Fish Franchising's master copy will be the controlling document.
This implies that franchisees must stay updated with the latest version of the manual and adhere to any changes made by Chocolate Fish Coffee. It is important for a prospective franchisee to understand that the franchisor has complete control over the contents of the manual and can change it at any time.