Does Golden Corral own any patents or patent applications that are material to the franchise?
Golden_Corral Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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ITEM 14 PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
Patents and Copyrights
Golden Corral does not own any patents or patent applications that are material to the franchise. We and our affiliates claim copyright protection for our advertising materials, the Manual, training materials, our website, and any other written, photographic, audio or other materials. Neither we nor our affiliates have registered the copyrights in any of these materials. You can use the materials only for the purpose of developing and operating your Restaurants.
Proprietary Information
Golden Corral will supply you with proprietary information related to operating the Restaurant. This includes the information in the Manual, building plans and specifications, all training materials, "Product Recipes," the "Administrative Guide," the "Menu Manager," "Marketing Manual," and any other information that Golden Corral may designate as confidential.
You must keep the Manual and any other confidential information secret and confidential. You must not copy, duplicate, record, or otherwise reproduce confidential materials or make them available to any unauthorized person.
The Manual is the Golden Corral's property. Golden Corral may revise the contents of the Manual or other confidential information and you must comply with each new or changed standard or procedure. You must keep the Manual in a secure place on the Restaurant premises. You also must ensure that your copy of the Manual is kept up to date. If there is any dispute concerning the contents of the Manual, the terms of the master copy of the Manual maintained at Golden Corral's principal office will be controlling.
You and your directors, officers, general partners, and Restaurant management employees must, at the time of their becoming associated with you, execute agreements to maintain the confidentiality of information they receive during employment at the Restaurant.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD page 56)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Golden Corral FDD, Golden Corral does not own any patents or patent applications that are material to the franchise. However, Golden Corral and its affiliates do claim copyright protection for their advertising materials, the Manual, training materials, website, and other written, photographic, or audio materials. It is important to note that these copyrights have not been registered.
Golden Corral will provide franchisees with proprietary information related to operating the restaurant, including information in the Manual, building plans, training materials, product recipes, administrative guide, menu manager, and marketing manual. Franchisees are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of this information and must not reproduce or share it with unauthorized individuals.
The Manual remains Golden Corral's property and is subject to revisions. Franchisees must comply with any updates or changes to the standards and procedures outlined in the Manual. In case of any disputes regarding the Manual's contents, the master copy maintained at Golden Corral's principal office will be the controlling reference. Franchisees, along with their directors, officers, general partners, and restaurant management employees, must sign agreements to maintain the confidentiality of the information they receive during their association with the Golden Corral restaurant.