Upon expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, what is the franchisee's obligation regarding printed copies of the Confidential Brand Standards Manual for a Goldfish Swim School franchise?
Goldfish_Swim_School Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
While this Agreement is in effect, Franchisor shall lend to Franchisee one (1) copy of the Confidential Brand Standards Manual or grant Franchisee access to an electronic copy of the Confidential Brand Standards Manual. The Confidential Brand Standards Manual will be in electronic form on our intranet or similar medium. The Confidential Brand Standards Manual will, among other things, set forth the Franchise System, the operating systems, procedures, policies, methods, standards, specifications and requirements for operating the Franchised Swim School and maintain our brand standards. Franchisee shall conduct the Franchised Swim School in strict accordance with the provisions set forth in the Confidential Brand Standards Manual. The Confidential Brand Standards Manual shall, at all times, remain the sole property of Franchisor and all printed copies retained by Franchisee or any of Franchisee's employees shall promptly be returned to Franchisor upon expiration or termination of this Agreement.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 77–389)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Goldfish Swim School Franchise Disclosure Document, upon expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee is obligated to return all printed copies of the Confidential Brand Standards Manual to Goldfish Swim School. The manual, whether in paper or electronic form, remains the sole property of the franchisor.
This requirement ensures that Goldfish Swim School maintains control over its proprietary information and standards. The Confidential Brand Standards Manual contains the operating systems, procedures, policies, methods, standards, specifications, and requirements for operating the franchised swim school and maintaining brand standards. Franchisees must operate their Goldfish Swim School in strict accordance with the manual's provisions.
Franchisees are also required to keep the contents of the Confidential Brand Standards Manual confidential both during the term of the franchise agreement and after its expiration or termination. This includes ensuring that any printed copy of the manual is kept up-to-date and secure. If the manual is in electronic form, it must be maintained in a password-protected file, with access granted only to authorized personnel. This obligation prevents the unauthorized disclosure or use of the manual's contents, protecting Goldfish Swim School's competitive advantage and brand integrity.