Is the City Publications franchisee required to keep the Manual confidential after the franchise agreement expires or is terminated?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
C. Confidentiality of Manual
The Manual contains proprietary information of Franchisor and shall be kept confidential by Franchisee both during the term of the Franchise and subsequent to the expiration or termination of this Agreement. Franchisee shall at all times ensure that its copy of the Manual be available at the Approved Location in a current and up-to-date manner. Franchisee shall not make any disclosure, duplication or other unauthorized use of any portion of the Manual. At all times that the Manual is not in use by authorized personnel, Franchisee shall maintain any printed copies of any portion of the Manual in a locked receptacle at the Approved Location and shall only grant authorized personnel, as defined in the Manual, access to the key or combination of such receptacle. In the event of any dispute as to the contents of the Manual, the terms of the master copy of the Manual maintained by Franchisor at Franchisor's headquarters shall be controlling.
D. Ownership of Manual
The Manual shall, at all times, remain the sole property of Franchisor and shall promptly be returned upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 39–129)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 City Publications Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee is required to maintain the confidentiality of the Manual even after the franchise agreement expires or is terminated. The Manual contains proprietary information that City Publications considers confidential.
City Publications requires franchisees to ensure their copy of the Manual is current and available at the approved location. Franchisees are prohibited from making any unauthorized disclosures, duplications, or other uses of the Manual's contents. When not in use by authorized personnel, printed copies must be kept in a locked receptacle at the approved location, with access limited to authorized personnel only.
In the event of any disagreement regarding the Manual's contents, the master copy maintained by City Publications at its headquarters will be the controlling version. Furthermore, upon the expiration or termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must promptly return the Manual to City Publications, reinforcing the franchisor's ownership and control over its proprietary information.