factual

What is Crawlspace Medic franchisees required to do regarding non-compete agreements with their employees and contractors who have access to confidential information?

Crawlspace_Medic Franchise · 2024 FDD

Answer from 2024 FDD Document

trademark | | "Crawlspace Medic" | | and design mark, and certain proprietary products, services, promotions | | outlets; | | and methods (the "System") for the establishment and operation of Franchised Business | WHEREAS, in connection with his or her duties, it will be necessary for Covenantor to have access to some or all of the confidential information, knowledge, know-how, techniques, contents of the Crawlspace Medic operations manual and other materials used in or related to the System and/or concerning the methods of operation of the System (collectively referred to as "Confidential Information");

WHEREAS, the Confidential Information provides economic advantages to Franchisor and licensed users of the System, including Franchisee;

WHEREAS, Franchisee has acknowledged the importance of restricting the use, access and dissemination of the Confidential Information, and Franchisee therefore has agreed to obtain from Covenantor a written agreement protecting the Confidential Information and further protecting the System against unfair competition; and

WHEREAS, Covenantor acknowledges that receipt of and the right to use the Confidential Information constitutes independent valuable consideration for the representations, promises and covenants made by Covenantor herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

1. Confidentiality Agreement.

  • a. Covenantor shall, at all times, maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information and shall use such Confidential Information only in the course of his or her employment by or association with Franchisee in connection with the operation of a Franchised Business under the Franchise Agreement.
  • b. Covenantor shall not at any time make copies of any documents or compilations containing some or all of the Confidential Information without Franchisor's express written permission.
  • c. Covenantor shall not at any time disclose or permit the disclosure of the Confidential Information except, and only then to the limited extent necessary, to those employees of Franchisee for training and assisting such employees in the operation of the Franchised Business.

  • d. Covenantor shall surrender any material containing some or all of the Confidential Information to Franchisee or Franchisor, upon request, or upon termination of employment or association with Franchisee.
  • e. Covenantor shall not at any time, directly or indirectly, do any act or omit to do any act that would or would likely be injurious or prejudicial to the goodwill associated with the System.
  • f. Covenantor agrees that no Confidential Information may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without written consent.

2. Covenants Not to Compete.

  • a. In order to protect the goodwill and unique qualities of the System, and in consideration for the disclosure to Covenantor of the Confidential Information, Covenantor further agrees and covenants that during Covenantor's employment or association with Franchisee, Covenantor shall not, for Covenantor or through, on behalf of or in conjunction with any person or entity:
    • (i) divert, or attempt to divert, any business or customer of the Crawlspace Medic system or of other franchisees in the System to any competitor, by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise,
    • (ii) participate as an owner, partner, director, officer, employee, consultant or agent or serve in any other capacity in any crawlspace or basement service business substantially similar to the System.
  • b. In further consideration for the disclosure to Covenantor of the Confidential Information and to protect the goodwill and unique qualities of the System, Covenantor further agrees and covenants that, upon the termination of Covenantor's employment or association with Franchisee and continuing for twenty-four (24) months thereafter, Covenantor shall not, for Covenantor or through, on behalf of or in conjunction with any person or entity:
    • (i) divert, or attempt to divert, any business or customer of the Franchised Business or of other franchisees in the Crawlspace Medic System to any competitor, by direct or indirect inducement or otherwise,
    • (ii) participate as an owner, partner, director, officer, employee, or consultant or serve in any other managerial, operational or supervisory capacity in any crawlspace or basement service business within the within twenty-five (25) miles of Franchisee's Territory or any Crawlspace Medic location.
    • c. The parties acknowledge and agree that each of the covenants contained herein are reasonable limitations as to time, geographical area, and scope of activity to be restrained and do not impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interests of Franchisor.
    • d. If the period of time or the geographic scope specified Section 2.b.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 42)

What This Means (2024 FDD)

According to the 2024 Crawlspace Medic Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must ensure that their employees and contractors with access to confidential information sign agreements protecting that information and preventing unfair competition. Crawlspace Medic requires franchisees to obtain a written agreement from these individuals, referred to as "Covenantors," to protect the confidentiality of the System's operations manual, methods, and other proprietary information. This agreement acknowledges the importance of restricting the use, access, and dissemination of confidential information to maintain the economic advantages of Crawlspace Medic.

The agreement mandates that Covenantors maintain the confidentiality of the information and use it only for their work with the franchisee in operating the Crawlspace Medic business. Covenantors are prohibited from making unauthorized copies of confidential documents and can only disclose information to other employees for training purposes. Upon request or termination of employment, Covenantors must return all materials containing confidential information to the franchisee or franchisor.

Furthermore, Covenantors agree not to engage in any actions that could harm the goodwill associated with the Crawlspace Medic system. This includes refraining from diverting business or customers to competitors and not participating in similar crawlspace or basement service businesses during their employment and for 24 months after termination. Franchisees are responsible for ensuring their employees and contractors comply with these agreements, and any breach could result in irreparable injury to Crawlspace Medic, entitling them to legal remedies.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.