Does Article 13 of the Dog Haus Area Developer Agreement replace or supplement other confidentiality obligations of the Area Developer?

According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Article 13 of the Area Developer Agreement does not replace other confidentiality obligations. Instead, the provisions of Article 13 are in addition to any other confidentiality obligations that the Area Developer or any other person may have, whether those obligations arise from another agreement or from applicable law. This means that the confidentiality requirements outlined in Article 13 are not the only ones that the Area Developer must adhere to.

This is a common practice in franchising, as franchisors typically want to ensure maximum protection of their confidential information and trade secrets. By making the confidentiality obligations cumulative, Dog Haus aims to create a comprehensive framework that covers all potential sources of confidentiality duties. This approach reduces the risk of loopholes or gaps in protection that could arise if Article 13 were the sole source of confidentiality obligations.

For a prospective Dog Haus Area Developer, this means understanding that you may have multiple layers of confidentiality obligations. You should carefully review all agreements and applicable laws to ensure full compliance. Failure to comply with any of these obligations could result in legal action and potential damages, as Dog Haus emphasizes the importance of protecting its confidential information.