Is Hydrodog franchise training considered confidential information?
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, the training provided to franchisees is considered confidential information. The FDD specifies that the methods, techniques, formats, specifications, procedures, information, and systems related to the development, operation, and franchising of Hydrodog businesses are confidential. This extends to the training programs themselves, indicating that the content and methods used in training are proprietary to Hydrodog.
As a Hydrodog franchisee, you are obligated to protect this confidential information. This means you cannot use the training materials or knowledge gained for any purpose outside of operating your Hydrodog franchise. You also cannot disclose this information to unauthorized individuals or entities. This obligation extends indefinitely beyond the termination of the franchise agreement.
The FDD also states that any manuals accessible online are Hydrodog's proprietary information and are deemed Confidential Information. Franchisees must maintain the manuals as confidential and keep any printed copies secure, limiting access to authorized personnel who have signed confidentiality agreements. Franchisees cannot copy or reproduce any part of the manuals, except for training authorized personnel or with explicit written permission, and any permitted copies must be marked as "Confidential".