Where must the printed Manual be kept for a Gold Star franchise?
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 the 2025 Gold Star Franchise Disclosure Document, if the manual is in printed form, it must be kept at the store. The manual remains the property of Gold Star and must be treated as confidential material. It also needs to be kept up to date. Upon request from Gold Star or at the termination of the franchise agreement, the printed manual must be promptly returned to the company.
Gold Star may provide the manual in digital format, accessible through the internet, instead of in printed format. 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.
This requirement ensures that franchisees have access to the most current operating procedures and standards, which are essential for maintaining consistency and quality across all Gold Star locations. By keeping the manual at the store, employees can easily reference it for guidance on daily operations, recipes, and customer service protocols. The confidential nature of the manual also protects Gold Star's proprietary information and competitive advantage.