How does Cordova establish and communicate System standards and requirements?
Cordova Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
4.C. OPERATIONS MANUAL
Franchisor shall provide Franchisee with access to the Operations Manual. The Operations Manual contains, as designated and determined by Franchisor, mandatory and, as applicable, suggested specifications, standards and operating procedures that Franchisor prescribes for Cordova Businesses. Franchisee shall operate the Franchised Business in strict accordance with the standards, specifications, and requirements set forth in the Operations Manual as, such standards, specifications, and requirements including, but not limited to, the Approved Services and Products, System Supplies, and, authorized and designated suppliers, as of the Effective Date of this Agreement, and, as they may be supplemented, modified, changed, and/or replaced in the future and, from time to time, by Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment. Franchisee shall keep and maintain the confidentiality of the Operations Manual and shall keep and maintain all files, data and information contained in the Operations Manual in a secure location and/or in a protected confidential state and, as otherwise directed by Franchisor. The master copy and official version of the Operations Manual is and shall be the copy and/or version maintained and designated by Franchisor in Franchisor's ordinary course of business.
Franchisor shall provide Franchisee with reasonable notice of modifications and changes made to the Operations Manual and, such notice may take form of electronic communications including emails and, if the Operations Manual is maintained on an online web based platform, notifications within said platform. Franchisor shall provide Franchisee with a reasonable period of time, as determined by Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, to implement change and modifications to the as set forth in the Operations Manual. Without limitation to the foregoing, Franchisee may only offer and sell the Approved Services and Products and utilize the System Supplies as designated by Franchisor, in Franchisor's Reasonable Business Judgment, in the Operations Manual and, in accordance with the terms, specifications and requirements set forth in the Operations Manual and as Franchisor may supplement and modify the Operations Manual from time to time or, as Franchisor may otherwise designate in writing.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 44–195)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cordova's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Cordova communicates its system standards and requirements primarily through the Operations Manual. Cordova provides franchisees with access to this manual, which contains mandatory and suggested specifications, standards, and operating procedures. These guidelines are what Cordova prescribes for its businesses. Franchisees are required to operate their franchised business in strict accordance with the standards, specifications, and requirements detailed in the Operations Manual. These include approved services and products, system supplies, and authorized suppliers, all effective from the date of the agreement.
Cordova retains the right to supplement, modify, change, and/or replace these standards, specifications, and requirements in the future, using their reasonable business judgment. Cordova will provide franchisees with reasonable notice of any modifications or changes made to the Operations Manual. This notice may be delivered through electronic communications, such as emails, or via notifications within an online web-based platform if the Operations Manual is maintained there.
Cordova also commits to providing franchisees with a reasonable period of time to implement these changes and modifications, as determined by Cordova. Franchisees are limited to offering and selling only the approved services and products and utilizing the system supplies designated by Cordova in the Operations Manual. These must align with the terms, specifications, and requirements set forth in the Operations Manual, as it may be updated or modified by Cordova.