Where must the printed Gold Star Manual be kept?
Gold_Star Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 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.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 53–163)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Gold Star's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if the manual is in printed form, it must be kept at the store. Gold Star provides one copy of the manual on loan at no cost, but additional copies are available for a fee. However, Gold Star may provide the manual in digital format accessible through the internet.
The manual remains the property of Gold Star and must be treated as confidential material. It must be kept up to date and returned to Gold Star upon request or at the termination of the Franchise Agreement. In the event of any dispute regarding the contents of the manual, the version available on any extranet or the master copy kept by Gold Star at its principal office will be considered the controlling version.
This requirement ensures that franchisees have access to the most current operating procedures and standards. By keeping the manual at the store, Gold Star aims to maintain consistency and quality across all franchise locations. Franchisees must comply with the manual's standards, which cover various aspects of the business, including menu content, restaurant management, cleanliness, and the presentation of food and beverages.