Can a Hydrodog franchisee perform services for a competitive business?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You agree that you will at all times faithfully, honestly and diligently perform your obligations as set forth in this Agreement, continuously exert your best efforts to promote and enhance the HydroDog Business, and not engage in any other business or activity that conflicts with your obligations to operate the HydroDog Business in compliance with this Agreement.
The words "Competitive Business" refers to any business or facility that owns, operates, manages, grants, sells, offers or supports franchises or licenses to others to do so, any mobile, fixed, or internet or catalog based business or facility that provides pet grooming, pet care, pet products or services, or any other pet-related products and services that are identical, similar to, competitive with, or substitutable for the Products and Services offered by HydroDog Businesses, whether now existing or hereafter developed, excluding any HydroDog Business under a franchise agreement with us, or any other business that we, at our sole discretion, determine to be competitive.
You will not disclose, leak, divulge, disseminate, reveal, make available, replicate, duplicate (in any form, tangible or intangible) or otherwise communicate all or any portion of the Confidential Information to any other person or entity, or use it for any purpose other than while you are working with us at the Business under a Franchise Agreement with Franchisor, either directly or indirectly.
You will use the highest degree of care to safeguard the confidentialit
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 43–166)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are restricted from engaging in any business or activity that conflicts with their obligation to operate the Hydrodog business. The FDD defines a "Competitive Business" as any business that offers pet grooming, pet care, pet products, or services that are identical, similar to, or competitive with Hydrodog's offerings. This includes businesses that own, operate, manage, grant, sell, or support franchises or licenses to others, as well as mobile, fixed, internet, or catalog-based businesses. The only exceptions are existing Hydrodog franchises or businesses that Hydrodog, at its sole discretion, does not consider competitive.
Hydrodog franchisees must faithfully, honestly, and diligently perform their obligations under the franchise agreement and continuously exert their best efforts to promote and enhance the Hydrodog business. This includes adhering to the System Standards outlined in the operations manual, which contains mandatory and suggested specifications, standards, operating procedures, and rules for operating a Hydrodog business. Franchisees are responsible for staying updated on any changes to these standards through online versions of the manuals, newsletters, or notices distributed by Hydrodog.
Engaging in a conflicting business activity or disclosing confidential information related to the Hydrodog system can be considered a breach of the franchise agreement. The use or duplication of any confidential information in any other business constitutes an unfair method of competition. Franchisees are expected to use the highest degree of care to safeguard the confidentiality and not disclose it to any other person or entity, or use it for any purpose other than while working with Hydrodog under a Franchise Agreement.