To whom can a Dq Treat franchisee disseminate proprietary information?
Dq_Treat Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must keep all proprietary information confidential during and after the term of the franchise agreement, including the Operations Manual and product preparation materials. You must not duplicate or disseminate any proprietary information to any party other than, your employees who need to know such proprietary information, and you must comply with all changes to the Operations Manual at your cost. Upon termination of your franchise agreement, you must return all proprietary information to ADQ, including all copies of the Operations Manual and the product preparation materials then in your possession or control or previously disseminated to your employees, and all other copyright material. You must notify ADQ immediately if you learn about an unauthorized use of proprietary information, although ADQ is not required by the franchise agreement to take any action and has the right to determine the appropriate response to any unauthorized use of proprietary information.
Source: Item 14 — U***:** U**Patents, Copyrights, and Proprietary Information (FDD pages 50–51)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Dq Treat FDD, franchisees must maintain the confidentiality of all proprietary information, including the Operations Manual and product preparation materials, both during and after the franchise agreement term. Dq Treat franchisees are explicitly prohibited from duplicating or disseminating this information to external parties.
The only exception to this strict confidentiality requirement is that franchisees may share proprietary information with their employees who need to know it for their job duties. However, this dissemination is limited to only those employees with a legitimate need for the information. Franchisees are responsible for ensuring their employees comply with all confidentiality obligations outlined in the franchise agreement.
Upon termination of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must return all proprietary information to Dq Treat, including any copies of the Operations Manual, product preparation materials, and other copyrighted materials, regardless of whether the franchisee possesses them or they were previously shared with employees. Franchisees also have an obligation to immediately notify Dq Treat if they become aware of any unauthorized use of proprietary information, although Dq Treat is not obligated to take any action in response.