What agreement does a franchisee make regarding Expense Reduction Analysts' Confidential Information?
Expense_Reduction_Analysts Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
| In consideration of my being a [INSERT TITLE/ROLE WITH FRANCHISEE] of | (the |
|---|---|
| "Franchisee"), and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, | |
| I (the undersigned) hereby acknowledge and agree that Franchisee has acquired the right from Expense | |
| Reduction Analysts, Inc. also known as the ERA Group | |
| (the "Franchisor") to: (i) establish and operate a franchised | |
| business (the "Franchised Business"); and (ii) use in the operation of the Franchised Business the Franchisor's | |
| trade names, trademarks and service marks (collectively, the "Proprietary Marks") and the Franchisor's unique | |
| and distinctive format and system relating to the establishment and operation of Franchised Business businesses | |
| (the "System"), as they may be changed, improved and further developed from time to time in the Franchisor's | |
| sole discretion, only at the following authorized and approved location: | |
| (the "Premises"), which covers the following area | |
| (the "Area"). |
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- The Franchisor possesses certain proprietary and confidential information relating to the operation of the Franchised Business and System generally, including without limitation: the Franchisor's proprietary and confidential Manuals and other manuals providing guidelines, standards and specifications related to the establishment and operation of the Franchised Business (collectively, the "Manuals"); the Franchisor's proprietary training materials and programs, as well as proprietary marketing methods and other instructional materials, trade secrets; information related to any other proprietary methodology or aspects of the System or the establishment and continued operation of the Franchised Business; financial information; any and all customer lists, contracts and other customer information obtained through the operation of the Franchised Business and other Franchised Businesses; any information related to any type of proprietary software that may be developed and/or used in the operation of with the Franchised Business; and any techniques, methods and know-how related to the operation of Franchised Business or otherwise used in connection with the System, which includes certain trade secrets, copyrighted materials, methods and other techniques and know-how (collectively, the "Confidential Information").
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- Any other information, knowledge, know-how, and techniques which the Franchisor specifically designates as confidential will also be deemed to be Confidential Information for purposes of this Agreement.
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- As [INSERT TITLE WITH RESPECT TO FRANCHISEE] of the Franchisee, the Franchisor and the Franchisee will disclose the Confidential Information to me in furnishing to me the training program and subsequent ongoing training, the Manuals, and other general assistance during the term of this Agreement.
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- I will not acquire any interest in the Confidential Information, other than the right to utilize it in the operation of the Franchised Business during the term hereof, and the use or duplication of the Confidential Information, in whole or in part, for any use outside the System would constitute an unfair method of competition.
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- The Confidential Information is proprietary, involves trade secrets of the Franchisor, and is disclosed to me solely on the condition that I agree, and I do hereby agree, that I shall hold in strict confidence all Confidential Information and all other information designated by the Franchisor as confidential. Unless the Franchisor otherwise agrees in writing, I will disclose and/or use the Confidential Information only in connection with my duties as [INSERT TITLE] of the Franchisee, and will continue not to disclose any such information even after I cease to be in that position and will not use any such information even after I cease to be in that position unless I can demonstrate that such information has become generally known or easily accessible other than by the breach of an obligation of Franchisee under the Franchise Agreement.
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- I will surrender any material containing some or all of the Confidential Information to the Franchisor, upon request, or upon conclusion of the use for which the information or material may have been furnished.
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- Except as otherwise approved in writing by the Franchisor, I shall not, while in my position with the Franchisee, for myself, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with any person, persons, partnership, corporation or limited liability company, own, maintain, engage in, be employed by, or have any interest in any other business that: (i) is involved in cost reduction and supplier relationship management consulting similar to the Franchised Business and/or that features, offers and/or sells products and services similar to the those offered and sold by the Franchised Business and/or other ERA Group franchises (a "Competing Business"); or (iii) grants or has granted franchises or licenses, or establishes or has established joint ventures, for one or more Competing Businesses.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 58–215)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Expense Reduction Analysts' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, as a franchisee, you acknowledge that the franchisor possesses proprietary and confidential information related to the operation of the franchised business and system. This includes, but is not limited to, the Expense Reduction Analysts' manuals, training materials, marketing methods, trade secrets, customer lists, contracts, software, and techniques. Any information specifically designated as confidential by Expense Reduction Analysts is also considered Confidential Information.
As a franchisee, you agree that Expense Reduction Analysts will disclose Confidential Information to you through training programs, manuals, and ongoing assistance. You will not acquire any interest in the Confidential Information, other than the right to use it for operating the franchised business during the term of the agreement. Using or duplicating the Confidential Information for any purpose outside the Expense Reduction Analysts system is considered an unfair method of competition.
You agree to hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence and only disclose or use it in connection with your duties as a franchisee. This obligation continues even after you are no longer in that position, unless the information becomes generally known or accessible through means other than a breach of the franchise agreement. Upon request or conclusion of use, you must surrender any material containing Confidential Information to Expense Reduction Analysts.
Furthermore, unless otherwise approved in writing by Expense Reduction Analysts, you are prohibited from owning, maintaining, engaging in, or having any interest in any other business involved in cost reduction and supplier relationship management consulting similar to the franchised business, or that grants franchises for such businesses. You also agree not to divert business from the franchised business or solicit its customers or employees for any competitive business purpose. However, there is no intent to prohibit you from obtaining employment or engagement with another franchisee of Expense Reduction Analysts.