What is a Cordova franchisee obligated to do to maintain the confidentiality of the Manuals?

According to Cordova's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees have specific obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the Operations Manual. Franchisees must keep the Operations Manual confidential and maintain all files, data, and information contained within it in a secure location or protected confidential state, following any directions provided by Cordova.

Beyond securing the physical and digital copies of the Operations Manual, Cordova franchisees must also ensure that their owners, spouses, directors, officers, employees, and agents also maintain confidentiality. These individuals may be required to sign confidentiality agreements. Franchisees must also take reasonable steps that Cordova requests to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential information and must cease using the confidential information immediately upon termination or transfer of the Franchise Agreement.

Upon termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee is obligated to return the Operations Manual and all confidential materials to Cordova. They must also cease accessing any digital media or cloud-based systems that store the Operations Manual or confidential information. Furthermore, the franchisee must inform Cordova of all locations where digital files containing the Operations Manual or confidential information are stored and follow Cordova's instructions for the destruction of these files.