factual

What data protection and privacy regulations must a Hardees franchisee comply with?

Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

programs.

P. Consumer Information

Franchisee may only use Consumer Information (as defined below) to the extent necessary to perform Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement during the term hereof and subject to such instructions and restrictions as HR may from time to time impose and in compliance with all data privacy, security and other applicable laws. "Consumer Information" means any identifiers (including name, address, phone numbers, usernames, birthdates and e-mail addresses), sales, transaction, loyalty and payment history, and all other information about or related to any customer or prospective customer, including any information deemed "personal information" or "personal data" under applicable law. As used in this Agreement, the term "customer" refers to any person or entity (i) whose information is collected by any HR system or application or included in any consumer or customer database, file or system owned or controlled by HR, its parent, subsidiary or affiliate companies; (ii) who is included on any marketing or customer lists Franchisee develops or uses or any customer information generally collected and saved for any reason; (iii) who has purchased, purchases or intends to purchase products or services online, through an HR application, or at the Franchised Restaurant; or (iv) who has been solicited to purchase any products or services at the Franchised Restaurant. HR may use the Consumer Information as HR deems appropriate, including sharing it with HR's affiliates.

HR owns all Consumer Information and may use the Consumer Information as it deems appropriate (subject to applicable law), including disclosing it to vendors or sharing it with its affiliates for crossmarketing or other purposes. Franchisee may only use Consumer Information for the purpose of operating the Franchised Restaurant to the extent permitted under this Agreement, including the OPM, during the term hereof and subject to such restrictions as HR may from time to time impose and in compliance with all data privacy, security and other applicable laws. Without limiting the foregoing, Franchisee agrees to comply with applicable law in connection with Franchisee's collection, processing, storage and use of such Consumer Information, including, if required under applicable law, obtaining consents from individuals for HR's and its affiliates' use of the Consumer Information. Franchisee must comply with all laws and regulations relating to data protection, privacy and security, including data breach response requirements ("Privacy Law(s)"), as well as data privacy and security policies, procedures and other requirements HR may periodically establish. Franchisee must maintain reasonable, appropriate, and effective security controls to preserve the security, integrity, availability, confidentiality, and resilience of Consumer Information. Franchisee must notify HR immediately of any suspected data breach at or in connection with the Franchised Restaurant or the business operated at the Franchised Restaurant. Franchisee must fully cooperate with HR and its counsel in determining the most effective way to meet HR's standards and policies pertaining to Privacy Laws, including those governing notification of a data breach. Franchisee is

responsible for any financial losses it incurs or remedial actions that it must take as a result of breach of security or unauthorized access to Consumer Information in Franchisee's control or possession.

Without limiting the foregoing, Franchisee represents, warrants, and covenants that:

  • (1) Franchisee will not "sell" or "share" (as defined under any Privacy Law) any Consumer Information or make Consumer Information available to any third party for valuable consideration;
  • (2) Franchisee will retain, use, or disclose Consumer Information only for the specific business purposes specified in this Agreement, and not for any other commercial or noncommercial purpose;
  • (3) Franchisee will not retain, use, or disclose Consumer Information outside of the direct business relationship between Franchisee and HR;
  • (4) Franchisee will not combine Consumer Information received from or on behalf of HR with personal information received from another source or collected from Franchisee's interactions with a consumer outside the operation of the Franchised Restaurant, except as specifically allowed under applicable Privacy Law;
  • (5) Franchisee shall not allow any person or entity (other than Franchisee's direct employees) to process Consumer Information without the express prior approval of HR, and any such subcontracting shall be performed strictly in accordance with a written agreement that imposes obligations on such subcontractor that are at least as restrictive as those imposed on Franchisee under this Agreement. Franchisee shall be liable for the acts and omissions of all such subcontractors to the same extent Franchisee would be liable if performing the services of each subcontractor directly under the Agreement;

Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 85)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must comply with all laws and regulations relating to data protection, privacy, and security, including data breach response requirements. These are referred to as "Privacy Law(s)" within the agreement. Franchisees must also adhere to any data privacy and security policies, procedures, and other requirements that Hardees may periodically establish. This includes maintaining reasonable, appropriate, and effective security controls to preserve the security, integrity, availability, confidentiality, and resilience of Consumer Information.

Hardees owns all Consumer Information and may use it as deemed appropriate, subject to applicable law. Franchisees may only use Consumer Information for operating the Franchised Restaurant, complying with all data privacy, security, and other applicable laws. This includes obtaining consents from individuals for Hardees's and its affiliates' use of the Consumer Information, if required by law. Franchisees are prohibited from selling or sharing Consumer Information or making it available to any third party for valuable consideration, and they must retain, use, or disclose Consumer Information only for the specific business purposes outlined in the agreement.

Franchisees must notify Hardees immediately of any suspected data breach at or in connection with the Franchised Restaurant and fully cooperate with Hardees and its counsel in determining the most effective way to meet Hardees's standards and policies pertaining to Privacy Laws, including those governing notification of a data breach. Franchisees are responsible for any financial losses incurred or remedial actions required due to a breach of security or unauthorized access to Consumer Information in their control or possession. If a franchisee receives a Consumer Information request directly from a consumer under their state Privacy Law, the franchisee must inform Hardees of that request within one business day and cooperate with Hardees to ensure the consumer receives an appropriate and timely acknowledgement and response.

Furthermore, franchisees must research and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the operation of the Franchised Restaurant, including federal and state laws that regulate data security and privacy. Examples of federal laws that could affect the Franchised Restaurant include the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), and other federal and state anti-solicitation laws regulating marketing phone calls. If the franchisee's business is independently subject to any Privacy Laws, the franchisee must comply with all standards, laws, rules, regulations, or any equivalent thereof relating to personal information, data privacy, and data protection that may apply to personal information not encompassed by the definition of "Consumer Information."

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.