Is a Crave Cookies franchisee required to protect the confidentiality of the Brand Standards Manual?
Crave_Cookies Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 7.1 Compliance with Manual and System Standards. Franchisee shall at all times and at its own expense comply with all mandatory obligations contained in the Manual and with all other System Standards. If Franchisee is found to be in non-compliance with Crave Cookies Franchising's System, Manuals, or standards, Franchisee will be charged a fine as set forth in Our Operations Manual. The fine is due upon billing.
- 7.2 Compliance with Law. Franchisee and the Business shall comply with all laws and regulations. Franchisee and the Business shall obtain and keep in force all governmental permits and licenses necessary for the Business.
- 7.3 Products, Services, and Methods of Sale. Franchisee shall offer all products and services, and only those products and services, from time to time prescribed by Crave Cookies Franchising in the Manual or otherwise in writing. Franchisee shall make sales only to retail customers, and only at the Location. Unless otherwise approved or required by Crave Cookies Franchising, Franchisee shall not make sales by any other means, including without limitation by wholesale, by delivery, by mail order or over the internet, or at temporary or satellite locations. Franchisee shall provide all products and perform all services in a high-quality manner that meets or exceeds the customer's reasonable expectations and all applicable System Standards.
- 7.4 Menu. Franchisee shall offer all menu items, beverages, and other products and services, and only those menu items, beverages, and other products and services, from time to time prescribed by Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC in the Manual or otherwise in writing.
- 7.5 Preparation. Franchisee shall follow all recipes prescribed by Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC, including, without limitation, use of all ingredients specified or authorized by Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC, and only such ingredients. Franchisee shall prepare and serve
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 32–33)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave Cookies's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee must comply with all mandatory obligations contained in the Manual and with all other System Standards. Crave Cookies may supplement, revise, or modify the Manual, and Crave Cookies may change, add or delete System Standards at any time in its discretion. Crave Cookies may inform Franchisee thereof by any method that Crave Cookies deems appropriate.
While the FDD excerpts do not explicitly state that the Brand Standards Manual must be kept confidential, it is standard practice in franchising to maintain the confidentiality of operations manuals and system standards. These documents contain proprietary information critical to the brand's success and consistency. Franchisees are typically entrusted with this information under the condition that they will not disclose it to unauthorized parties.
Given the general requirement to comply with the Manual and System Standards, it is highly likely that the Brand Standards Manual is considered confidential. A prospective Crave Cookies franchisee should confirm this understanding with the franchisor and carefully review the franchise agreement for specific confidentiality clauses related to the manual and other proprietary information.