Does the definition of Confidential Information for Cream include the identity of approved suppliers?
Cream Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In connection with your Shop, you and your owners and personnel may from time to time be provided and/or have access to non-public information about the System and operation of Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops, including your Shop (the "Confidential Information"), including: (1) site selection criteria, market or demographic research, and/or other real estate reports; (2) training and operations materials and manuals, including the Brand Manual; (3) the System Standards and other methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures, techniques, sales and marketing techniques, knowledge, and experience used in developing, promoting, and operating Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops; (4) recipes, ingredient lists, nutrition facts, methods of preparation, and other information about products and menu items, including the existence or specifications of any seasonal or other unreleased products and menu items; (5) market research, promotional, marketing, and advertising programs for Jeni's Ice Creams Scoop Shops; (6) the identity or specifications of any of our required, approved, or designated suppliers, products, services; (7) any software or technology
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 61–192)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Cream's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Confidential Information includes the identity of approved or designated suppliers. As a Cream franchisee, you are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of this information.
This means that as a franchisee, you are prohibited from disclosing the identity of Cream's approved suppliers to any unauthorized parties. This restriction is in place to protect Cream's relationships with its suppliers and to prevent competitors from gaining an advantage by knowing Cream's supply chain.
Cream may change its list of approved suppliers from time to time. If you want to use a supplier that is not on the approved list, you must request written approval from Cream before making any purchases from that supplier. Cream has the discretion to approve or deny your request, and they may refuse to approve a supplier for Proprietary Products.