Are there any limitations on whom an Epcon Communities franchisee can hire as an on-premises supervisor?
Epcon_Communities Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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- Limited License. The authorization to access and use the Epcon Communities Intranet that is granted to you in this Agreement is limited to your internal use in your ordinary course of business as a franchisee of Epcon Communities. This authorization is non-transferable and non-exclusive, is for use only by you and your employees, and only in accordance with this Agreement and any Epcon Communities Intranet policies provided to you or available on-line from time to time.
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- Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:
- a) Epcon Communities means Epcon Communities Franchising, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company.
- b) Web Site. The Web Site means all information, content, concepts, program interfaces, structures, functionality, computer code, published materials, electronic documents, video, graphics and other information and technology in Epcon Communities' World Wide Web Site located at www.epconconnect.com and/or at epcon.smarteru.com.
- c) Databases. The Databases include all information accessible from Epcon Communities through the Web Site, which may include, but is not limited to, technical and other specifications, sales, marketing and training materials, online training modules and related documents, online libraries of manuals, articles and sample documents, pricing, advice, and other data and information. All data and information available in the Databases is proprietary, confidential and the sole property of Epcon Communities (or of third parties licensing such information to Epcon Communities) and contain copyrighted and patented material.
- d) The Epcon Communities Intranet means, collectively, the Web Site and related services accessed through the Web Site, including its Databases and a bulletin board service, as well as any other services which may be added from time to time.
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- Access and Security. Each of your authorized users ("Users") must enter a valid User Name and Password ("Access Codes") to access some of the Databases or access the Web Site's secure areas. Do not permit any of your Users to disclose your Access Codes to anyone not authorized to act on your behalf. It is your responsibility to safeguard and protect your Users' Access Codes and to monitor all use of these Access Codes for all purposes. You accept all responsibility for maintaining the security of your
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 54–55)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
Based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, there are no explicit restrictions detailed regarding who an Epcon Communities franchisee can hire as an on-premises supervisor. However, the agreement specifies that the franchisee's authorization to access and use the Epcon Communities Intranet is limited to their internal use and that of their employees. This access is non-transferable and non-exclusive, and it must be used in accordance with the Franchise Agreement and any Epcon Communities Intranet policies.
Each authorized user, including employees, must use valid access codes to secure areas of the website, and franchisees are responsible for safeguarding these codes and monitoring their use. This implies that any on-premises supervisor hired by the franchisee would need to be an authorized user with appropriate access credentials to the Epcon Communities Intranet.
Furthermore, the FDD states that franchisees cannot, without prior written consent from Epcon Communities, engage in real estate development projects that target the 55+ home buyer demographic, similar to Epcon Communities' projects. While this clause primarily restricts the franchisee's activities, it could indirectly affect hiring decisions if the on-premises supervisor's prior or concurrent activities present a conflict of interest.
In summary, while the FDD does not explicitly list limitations on hiring an on-premises supervisor, the franchisee should ensure that any potential supervisor's activities do not conflict with the franchisee's obligations under the Franchise Agreement and that the supervisor complies with the access and security protocols for the Epcon Communities Intranet.