Does the definition of 'Confidential Information' for City Publications include pricing information?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
"Confidential Information" means any trade secret and any information or matter that is competitively sensitive and not generally known by the public, whether or not in written or tangible form and regardless of the media (if any) on which stored, relating to the System, including know-how, knowledge of and experience in operating a CITY PUBLICATIONS Business, methods, techniques, formats, specifications, procedures, systems, policies and standards, business operating systems and techniques, record keeping and reporting methods, accounting systems, sales and marketing methods and training techniques, specifications, processes and procedures for the design, production and distribution of Card Packs, specifications for business forms and stationery to be used by franchisees, the Manual, ideas, research and development, lists of franchisees, advertisers, and suppliers, mailing data, mailing lists, market and territory analyses, population demographic studies, suggested pricing and cost information, software which Franchisor or its Affiliates may develop and introduce as part of the System, and any other information or material identified to Franchisee by Franchisor as confidential;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the definition of 'Confidential Information' does include pricing information. Specifically, the FDD states that 'Confidential Information' includes competitively sensitive information not generally known to the public relating to the City Publications system.
This definition extends to various aspects of the business, including methods, techniques, systems, and lists of franchisees, advertisers, and suppliers. Critically, the definition explicitly encompasses 'suggested pricing and cost information.' This means that any pricing strategies, cost structures, or related data shared by City Publications with its franchisees are considered confidential and must be protected.
For a prospective franchisee, this means they have a legal obligation to safeguard any pricing or cost information they receive from City Publications. They cannot share this information with competitors or use it in any way that could harm the City Publications business. Failure to comply with this confidentiality requirement could result in legal action from City Publications.