What are some examples of information that is NOT considered 'Dog Haus Confidential Information'?
Dog_Haus Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Dog Haus Confidential Information does not include any information that was in the lawful and unrestricted possession of Franchisee prior to its disclosure by Franchisor; is or becomes generally available to the public by acts other than those of Franchisee after receiving it; has been received lawfully and in good faith by Franchisee from a third party who did not derive it from Franchisor or Franchisee; or is shown by acceptable evidence to have been independently developed by Franchisee.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 87)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, certain types of information are explicitly excluded from being considered 'Dog Haus Confidential Information.' This means that franchisees are not bound by confidentiality agreements regarding these specific types of information.
Specifically, information that a franchisee already possessed lawfully and without restriction before it was disclosed by Dog Haus is not considered confidential. Similarly, information that becomes publicly available through means other than the franchisee's actions after they receive it is also excluded. Information lawfully obtained by the franchisee from a third party who did not derive it from Dog Haus or the franchisee themselves is also not considered confidential. Finally, information that the franchisee can demonstrate they independently developed is not subject to confidentiality restrictions.
This distinction is important for prospective Dog Haus franchisees because it clarifies the scope of their confidentiality obligations. It assures them that they are not restricted from using or disclosing information they already had, that becomes public knowledge, or that they independently create. However, franchisees should be prepared to provide acceptable evidence to support any claim that information falls under these exceptions.