What is the definition of 'Manual' in the context of the Gold Star franchise agreement termination?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
3. MANUAL AND OTHER APPLICABLE STANDARDS.
- 3.1 Company's Obligation. The COMPANY shall provide, on loan and at no cost to FRANCHISEE, one copy of the Manual. Additional copies may be obtained on loan from the COMPANY for the Manual fee then being charged by the COMPANY. The COMPANY may supply the Manual to FRANCHISEE in digital format, accessible through the internet, instead of in printed format (or, for instance, as part of a COMPANY extranet pursuant to Section 7.9.11 hereof).
- 3.2 Confidentiality. All Manuals shall remain the property of the COMPANY, be kept at the Store (if in printed form), be treated as Confidential Materials (as defined in Section 12) and be kept up to date and be returned to the COMPANY promptly upon request by the COMPANY (if in printed form) or at the termination of this Agreement. The version of the Manual available on any extranet, or, if not kept on a COMPANY extranet, the master copy of the Manuals kept by the COMPANY at its principal office, will be controlling, in the event of any dispute relating to the contents of the Manual.
- 3.3 Compliance with Manual. The Manual includes, among other things, standards of operation (including menu content, recipes and pres
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–163)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the 'Manual' contains the System Standards that franchisees must adhere to. These standards are periodically modified and supplemented by Gold Star in its sole and absolute discretion. The System Standards include, without limitation, standards and specifications regarding ingredients, methods of food preparation and service, and weight, quality and dimensions of menu items and other products served in the Store.
The Manual is provided to the franchisee on loan and at no cost, although additional copies may incur a fee. Gold Star may provide the Manual in digital format accessible through the internet. The Manual remains the property of Gold Star, must be kept at the store (if in printed form), treated as Confidential Materials, kept up to date, and returned to Gold Star upon request or at the termination of the Franchise Agreement.
Compliance with the Manual is a fundamental requirement of the franchise agreement. The version of the Manual available on any extranet, or the master copy kept by Gold Star at its principal office, will be controlling in the event of any dispute relating to the contents of the Manual. Failure to comply with the standards outlined in the manual could lead to termination of the franchise agreement.