Who owns the Dog Haus Manuals, and what happens to them upon expiration, termination, or assignment of the agreement?

According to Dog Haus's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Dog Haus manuals are the sole property of the Franchisor. During the term of the franchise agreement, Dog Haus will provide the franchisee with access to its current manuals either electronically or in hard copy. Dog Haus may also choose to post the manuals on a restricted website, intranet, or extranet for franchisee access. The manuals may be modified by Dog Haus during the term of the agreement.

Upon the expiration, termination, or assignment of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must promptly return the manuals to Dog Haus. This includes all written materials incorporating Dog Haus Trade Secrets and all copies of any of the same to Franchisor at the franchisee's own cost. This requirement ensures that Dog Haus retains control over its operating procedures and confidential information, preventing unauthorized use by former franchisees.

This is a standard practice in franchising, as the operations manual contains proprietary information critical to maintaining brand consistency and operational standards. The franchisee's obligation to return the manuals reinforces the franchisor's ownership and control over its system. A prospective Dog Haus franchisee should understand that access to these manuals is contingent upon maintaining an active franchise agreement and adhering to its terms.