Where can I find information regarding Hydrodog's data security practices?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
13. RECORDS, REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
13.1 Accounting System. You agree to establish and maintain at your own expense a bookkeeping, accounting and recordkeeping system conforming to the requirements and formats we prescribe from time-to-time. We may require you to use approved computer hardware and Software in order to maintain certain sales data and other information, including updating the Manuals and for communication purposes. You agree that we may have real-time, continuous, and unrestricted access to all sales data, customer information, financial records, and other business information through the Computer System at all times. You hereby grant us a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, modify, analyze and share such data for any business purpose, including but not limited to system-wide analytics, optimization, and franchise sales activities, subject to applicable privacy laws and regulations.
11. OPERATION AND SYSTEM STANDARDS.
- 11.1 Operations Manuals. We will loan you (or make available on-line or via other electronic format), during the term of this Agreement, 1 copy of our manuals (the "Manuals"), consisting of such materials (including, as applicable, audiotapes, videotapes, magnetic media, computer Software and written materials) that we generally furnish to franchisees from time-to-time for use in operating a HydroDog Business.
The Manuals contain mandatory and suggested specifications, standards, operating procedures and rules ("System Standards") that we prescribe from time-to-time for the operation of a HydroDog Business and information relating to your other obligations under this Agreement and related agreements.
You agree to follow the standards, specifications and operating procedures we establish periodically for the HydroDog System that are described in the Manuals.
You also must comply with all updates and amendments to the HydroDog System as described in newsletters or notices we distribute, including via Computer System or other media we select).
The Manuals may be modified or updated and revised periodically to reflect changes in System Standards.
You are responsible for routinely monitoring any on-line version (or electronic format) of the Manuals for changes to them.
If we make the Manuals accessible to you in read-only format and/or on-line (or electronic format), we will not send to you printed copies of any changes to them.
However, any form of the Manuals accessible to you on-line is our proprietary information and will be deemed Confidential Information for purposes of this Agreement.
9.3 Client Database. You agree that the list of the names, addresses and other information regarding your current clients, former clients, and those who have inquired about the Services (the "Client
Database") is included in the Confidential Information, is our property, and constitutes a trade secret of ours. You agree that you may not disclose, sell, assign, transfer or convey the Client Database, or any portion thereof, to any person other than us either during the term of this Agreement or thereafter, and you acknowledge that the Client Database constitutes our sole and exclusive property. You further agree that a breach of this Section shall be grounds for immediate termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 14.1.12.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Hydrodog FDD, details regarding data security practices are found within the sections discussing the Computer System, Operations Manuals, and Confidential Information.
The FDD states that Hydrodog may require franchisees to use approved computer hardware and software to maintain sales data and other information. Hydrodog retains the right to access all sales data, customer information, financial records, and other business information through the franchisee's Computer System at all times. Additionally, Hydrodog is granted a perpetual license to use, modify, analyze, and share such data for any business purpose, subject to applicable privacy laws and regulations. This indicates that franchisees must adhere to Hydrodog's standards for data management and security within their computer systems.
The Operations Manuals, whether in physical or electronic format, contain mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures, and rules for operating a Hydrodog business. These manuals are considered confidential information, and franchisees must maintain them securely, limiting access to authorized personnel who have signed confidentiality agreements. Franchisees are responsible for monitoring any online version of the manuals for changes and must comply with all updates and amendments to the Hydrodog System as described in newsletters or notices distributed via the Computer System or other media.
Hydrodog also considers client databases as confidential information and trade secrets. Franchisees are prohibited from disclosing, selling, assigning, transferring, or conveying the client database to any person other than Hydrodog, both during and after the term of the franchise agreement. This underscores the importance of protecting client data and adhering to Hydrodog's confidentiality requirements to maintain the integrity of the Hydrodog system and prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of sensitive information.