Does confidential information for a Hydrodog business include market research?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- (a) methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures, sales and marketing techniques, knowledge and experience used in developing and operating your HydroDog Business (including, without limitation, the System Standards);
- (b) market research and promotional, marketing and advertising programs for your HydroDog Business;
- (c) client communication programs, along with data used or generated in connection with those programs;
- (d) the System and the know-how related to its use;
- (e) plans, specifications, size and physical characteristics of the HydroDog Businesses, HydroDog Vehicles;
- (f) Territory selection criteria;
- (g) design of equipment, furniture, forms, materials and supplies;
- (h) training for the HydroDog Businesses;
- (i) methods, techniques, formats, specifications, procedures, information and systems related to and knowledge of and experience in the development, operation and franchising of the HydroDog Businesses;
- (j) knowledge of specifications for certain Products and Supplies and suppliers of certain Products and Supplies;
- (k) pet grooming techniques, products and services;
- (l) the Client Database (as described in Section 9.5 below); and
- (m) knowledge of operating results and financial performance of the HydroDog Businesses other than those operated by you (or your affiliates).
- 9.2 Restriction on Use of Confidential Information. You acknowledge and agree that you will not acquire any interest in Confidential Information, other than the right to use certain Confidential Information in operating your HydroDog Business during this Agreement's term and according to this Agreement's terms and conditions, and that your use of any Confidential Information for any purpose not expressly authorized by this Agreement would constitute an unfair method of competition with us and our franchisees and may violate certain laws. You further acknowledge and agree that the Confidential Information is proprietary, includes our trade secrets, and is disclosed to you only on the condition that you, your Owners, managers, employees and/or independent contractors who have access to it agree, and they do agree, that you and they:
- (a) Will not use any Confidential Information in any other business or capacity;
- (b) Will keep the Confidential Information strictly confidential during and indefinitely after this Agreement's term;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, confidential information includes market research. Specifically, the FDD states that confidential information includes market research and promotional, marketing, and advertising programs for your HydroDog Business. This means that the methods, formats, specifications, standards, systems, procedures, sales and marketing techniques, knowledge and experience used in developing and operating your HydroDog Business are confidential.
As a Hydrodog franchisee, you are restricted from using confidential information in any other business or capacity and must keep it strictly confidential during and indefinitely after the agreement's term. You are also prohibited from making unauthorized copies of confidential information and must implement procedures to prevent its unauthorized use or disclosure. This includes restricting disclosure to personnel who need to know the information to operate the HydroDog Business and requiring employees and independent contractors to sign confidentiality agreements.
Hydrodog requires franchisees to disclose any ideas, techniques, services, and products concerning the development and operation of their HydroDog Business that they conceive or develop during the term of the agreement. These innovations become the sole and exclusive property of Hydrodog, and franchisees must obtain prior written approval before using or allowing others to use them. This ensures that Hydrodog maintains control over its system and can continue to innovate and improve its offerings.