What is the Circle K franchisee's responsibility to comply with laws and regulations relating to data protection, privacy and security?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
; (ii) who has purchased or purchases products or services at the Store; or (iii) whom Franchisee has solicited to purchase any products or services at the Store. Franchisor may use the Customer Information as it deems appropriate, including sharing it with its Affiliates.
(b) Without limiting the foregoing, Franchisee agrees to comply with applicable law in connection with its collection, storage, disclosure and its use and Franchisor's use of such Customer Information, including complying with all laws and regulations relating to data protection, privacy and security, including data breach response requirements ("Privacy Laws"), as well as data privacy and security policies, procedures and other requirements Franchisor may periodically establish. Some laws require Franchisee to obtain consent to collect, store, disclose, and use (collectively "process") personal information. Franchisee is responsible for obtaining appropriate Customer consent to ensure Franchisee and Franchisor may process Customer Information as outlined in this Agreement. Franchisee must notify Franchisor immediately of any suspected data breach at or in connection with the Store. Franchisee must fully cooperate with Franchisor and its counsel in determining the most effective way to meet Franchisor's standards and policies pertaining to Privacy Laws within the bounds of applicable law. Franchisee is responsible for any financial losses it incurs or remedial actions that it must take as a result of breach of security or unauthorized access to Customer Information in Franchisee's control or possession.
(c) If any federal or state Privacy Law, including the California Consumer Privacy Act, as revised by the California Consumer Privacy Rights Act , Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.100, et seq. (collectively, "CCPA") and any related regulations, applies to the operation of the Store, whenever and to the extent Franchisee operates as a "Service Provider" or "Contractor" under the CCPA, a data processor, or in a similar capacity under any federal or state Privacy Law, Franchisee represents and warrants that:
- (1) Except for the purpose of operating the Store and in accordance with the Business Systems Manuals, Franchisee will not retain, use, combine or disclose any Customer Information;
(2) Franchisee will not sell, share, make available or otherwise disclose any Customer Information to any third party for valuable consideration or for the purpose of performing cross-context behavioral advertising;
(3) Franchisee will not retain, use, or disclose Customer Information outside of the direct business relationship between Franchisee and Franchisor;
(4) Franchisee will delete any Customer Information upon Franchisor's request unless Franchisee can prove that such request is subject to an exception under applicable law;
(5) If Franchisee receives a Customer Information data request (e.g. a request to delete Customer Information) directly from a consumer (e.g., a California resident under the CCPA or CPRA, or a resident of another jurisdiction under other applicable Privacy Law), Franchisee shall inform Franchisor of that request within one business day and cooperate with Franchisor to ensure that the consumer receives an appropriate and timely acknowledgement and response;
(6) Franchisee will implement reasonable security procedures and practices appropriate to the Customer Information it collects, retains, uses or discloses, in order to protect it from unauthorized or illegal access, including following minimum requirements that may be set forth in the Business Systems Manuals;
(7) Franchisee will cooperate with Franchisor if Franchisor seeks to ensure that Franchisee has collected, retained, used, or disclosed Customer Information consistent with Privacy Laws and this Agreement, including but not limited to providing Franchisor with requested compliance documents, or allowing Franchisor to assess, audit, or test Franchisee's privacy and security controls at least annually;
(8) Franchisee will cooperate with Franchisor to stop or remediate any unauthorized use of Customer Information, including verifying that Franchisee no longer retains or processes any personal information that a consumer has asked Franchisee or Franchisor to delete under applicable Privacy Laws; and
(9) Franchisee will notify Franchisor immediately if Franchisee determines it cannot meet its obligations under Privacy Laws or this Agreement regarding its collection, retention, use, or disclosure of Customer Information.
(d) Franchisee certifies that it understands the restrictions in Paragraphs (1) (9) of section 9.6(c) and will comply with them. Franchisee also acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor may modify these restrictions from time to time by written notice to Franchisee, by issuing updates to Franchisor's standards and policies pertaining to Privacy Laws, including by adding other similar restrictions that may be required under other state or federal Privacy Laws, and Franchisee agrees to comply with the same.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 100)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Circle K's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have extensive responsibilities regarding data protection, privacy, and security. Franchisees must comply with all applicable laws and regulations related to data protection, privacy, and security, including data breach response requirements, referred to as "Privacy Laws." They must also adhere to Circle K's data privacy and security policies, procedures, and other requirements that Circle K may periodically establish. Franchisees are responsible for obtaining appropriate customer consent to ensure that both the franchisee and Circle K can process customer information as outlined in the agreement. They must also notify Circle K immediately of any suspected data breach at or in connection with their store.
Circle K franchisees must fully cooperate with Circle K and its counsel to determine the most effective way to meet Circle K's standards and policies pertaining to Privacy Laws, within the bounds of applicable law. Franchisees are responsible for any financial losses they incur or remedial actions they must take as a result of a security breach or unauthorized access to customer information in their control or possession. If any federal or state Privacy Law applies to the operation of the store, the franchisee must adhere to specific restrictions, including not retaining, using, combining, or disclosing any Customer Information except for the purpose of operating the store and in accordance with the Business Systems Manuals.
Furthermore, franchisees must implement reasonable security procedures and practices appropriate to the Customer Information they collect, retain, use, or disclose, in order to protect it from unauthorized or illegal access, including following minimum requirements that may be set forth in the Business Systems Manuals. Franchisees must cooperate with Circle K if Circle K seeks to ensure that the franchisee has handled Customer Information consistent with Privacy Laws and the Franchise Agreement. This includes providing requested compliance documents or allowing Circle K to assess, audit, or test the franchisee's privacy and security controls at least annually. Franchisees must also cooperate with Circle K to stop or remediate any unauthorized use of Customer Information, including verifying that the franchisee no longer retains or processes any personal information that a consumer has asked to be deleted. Finally, franchisees must notify Circle K immediately if they determine they cannot meet their obligations under Privacy Laws or the Franchise Agreement regarding their collection, retention, use, or disclosure of Customer Information.