What is the preferred method of making updates to the Manual available to Epcon Communities franchisees?
Epcon_Communities Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
any supplier.
Your computer system will permit you to take advantage of services to be offered to you both by us and third parties, as described below.
We make our Manual and other information related to our Development System, as well as online training modules, available to you and certain of your employees through a password-protected web site (the "on-line support system"). This is the preferred method of making updates to the Manual available to you for downloading and printing. Prior to gaining access to our password protected web site, you and your employees must sign the Non-Disclosure and On-Line Information Access Agreement (see attached Exhibit K to this disclosure document), and you must provide us with a copy of each signed agreement.
We do not provide technical assistance for any of the designated computer hardware or software components. Under the Franchise Agreement, you must periodically upgrade and/or update the hardware components and/or software programs that make up your personal computer system to meet our thencurrent minimum specifications and list of required capabilities. (Franchise Agreement, Section 5.10). There are no contractual limitations on the frequency or cost of this obligation, but we will not require these upgrades more often than annually. We estimate
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 39–48)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Epcon Communities' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the preferred method for delivering updates to the Manual is through a password-protected website, referred to as the "on-line support system." This system also provides access to other information related to Epcon Communities' Development System, as well as online training modules.
To gain access to this online support system, franchisees and their employees must sign a Non-Disclosure and On-Line Information Access Agreement, outlined in Exhibit K of the FDD, and provide a copy of each signed agreement to Epcon Communities. This ensures that confidential information is protected and that only authorized personnel can access the Manual and other resources.
While Epcon Communities makes the Manual available online, they do not provide technical assistance for the computer hardware or software components franchisees use to access it. Franchisees are responsible for periodically upgrading their computer systems to meet Epcon Communities' minimum specifications, with upgrades not required more than annually and estimated to cost around $350 per year. Epcon Communities is not obligated to provide ongoing maintenance, repairs, upgrades, or updates to the franchisee's computer systems.