In what formats may Gold Star supply the Manual to the franchisee?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 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 presentation), standards of Restaurant management, operation, cleanliness and service, and standards concerning type, style and presentation of all food, beverages, furnishings, supplies, inventory, fixtures, interior and exterior decor and equipment used in connection with the Store. The Manual may be supplemented or changed (by reissuance, substitution, addition, deletion or other modification) by the COMPANY from time to time, by written bulletins, letters, notices, substitute pages, additional or revised manuals and other materials (all of which are included within the term "Manual"), and the FRANCHISEE shall at all times conform to the Manual as then in effect. FRANCHISEE shall be advised in writing of any change and shall have such reasonable time as the COMPANY deems necessary, from the date of such written notice, to implement fully any such change. The Manual, as presently constituted and as may be hereafter amended and supplemented by the COMPANY from time to time, is incorporated by reference herein and thereby made a part of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the COMPANY makes any amendment or supplement to the Manual requiring any refurbishment of the Retail Location which would reasonably be expected to
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–163)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the company will provide one copy of the Manual to the franchisee on loan and at no cost. Gold Star has the option to supply the Manual in digital format, accessible through the internet, or in printed format. The digital format may be part of a company extranet.
The Manual remains the property of Gold Star and must be kept at the store if in printed form. It is considered confidential material and must be kept up to date. Upon request or termination of the agreement, the printed Manual must be returned to Gold Star. In case of any dispute regarding the Manual's contents, the version available on the company's extranet or the master copy kept at Gold Star's principal office will be considered controlling.
The Manual includes standards of operation, such as menu content, recipes, presentation, restaurant management, cleanliness, service, and standards for all food, beverages, furnishings, supplies, inventory, fixtures, interior and exterior decor, and equipment. Gold Star may supplement or change the Manual from time to time through written bulletins, letters, notices, substitute pages, additional or revised manuals, and other materials. Franchisees are required to adhere to the Manual as it is in effect and will be advised in writing of any changes, with reasonable time provided to implement them.