What are some examples of information that is NOT considered Confidential Information for Dog Haus?
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 Area Developer prior to its disclosure by Franchisor; is or becomes generally available to the public by acts other than those of Area Developer after receiving it; has been received lawfully and in good faith by Area Developer from a third party who did not derive it from Franchisor or Area Developer; or is shown by acceptable evidence to have been independently developed by Area Developer.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 87–328)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, certain types of information are excluded from the definition of "Dog Haus Confidential Information." This is relevant to prospective franchisees because it clarifies what information they are free to use and disclose, even after the franchise relationship ends.
Specifically, Dog Haus does not consider information confidential if the Area Developer already possessed it lawfully and without restriction before receiving it from Dog Haus. Similarly, information that becomes generally available to the public through means other than the Area Developer's actions is not considered confidential. Information lawfully obtained from a third party who did not derive it from Dog Haus or the Area Developer is also excluded. Finally, information that the Area Developer can prove they independently developed is not considered confidential.
In practical terms, this means a prospective Dog Haus franchisee isn't obligated to keep information secret if they already knew it, if it becomes public knowledge through no fault of their own, if they learn it from another source that didn't get it from Dog Haus, or if they develop it independently. This is a fairly standard set of exclusions in franchise agreements, as it protects the franchisee from being unduly restricted in their future business activities.