What roles constitute 'Affiliation' with a Fat Shack franchisee company?
Fat_Shack Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Associate is or will become involved with Company in the capacity of an officer, partner, director, manager, agent, employee, member, Managing Owner, Designated Manager (as defined in the Franchise Agreement), beneficial owner, or independent contractor (such capacities collectively referred to as "Affiliation") or is related to a person who has an Affiliation with Company, and will become privileged as to certain confidential information related to FSI, its operations, the FAT SHACK Restaurants and/or the Licensed Methods.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–223)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Fat Shack's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, 'Affiliation' with a franchisee company includes various roles and relationships. Specifically, it encompasses individuals involved with the company as an officer, partner, director, manager, agent, employee, member, Managing Owner, Designated Manager, beneficial owner, or independent contractor. These roles collectively constitute 'Affiliation.'
Furthermore, 'Affiliation' extends to individuals related to a person holding any of the aforementioned roles within the Fat Shack franchisee company. This means that even if someone isn't directly employed or officially associated with the company, their relationship to someone who is can create an 'Affiliation.'
This broad definition of 'Affiliation' is significant because it triggers certain obligations, particularly concerning confidentiality and non-competition. Individuals with an 'Affiliation' are typically required to sign agreements to protect Fat Shack's confidential information and to refrain from competing with Fat Shack during and after their association with the franchisee company. This ensures that sensitive business information remains protected and that individuals with knowledge of Fat Shack's operations do not use that knowledge to compete against the franchise.