If I develop a new process related to the promotion of my Hydrodog business, what am I required to do?
Hydrodog Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you or your owners develop or learn of any new ideas, concepts, processes, techniques or improvements relating to the operation or promotion of your HydroDog Business, you must promptly notify us and give us all necessary information about such ideas, concepts, processes, techniques or improvements, without compensation. These ideas, concepts, processes, techniques or improvements will be considered our property and part of the System and will be considered works made-for-hire for us. You and your owners must sign whatever documents we request to evidence our ownership or to assist us in securing intellectual property rights in such ideas, concepts, processes, techniques or improvements.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 33–34)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hydrodog's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you or your owners develop or learn of any new ideas, concepts, processes, techniques or improvements relating to the operation or promotion of your Hydrodog Business, you must promptly notify Hydrodog. You are obligated to provide all necessary information about these developments without expecting compensation.
Hydrodog considers these new developments as their property and part of the Hydrodog System. They will also be considered works made-for-hire for Hydrodog. As a franchisee, you and your owners must sign any documents Hydrodog requests to evidence their ownership or to assist them in securing intellectual property rights for these new developments.
This clause means that any innovation or improvement you create for your Hydrodog franchise becomes the property of the franchisor. While this might seem discouraging, it is a common practice in franchising to maintain uniformity and protect the brand. However, it's crucial to understand that you will not receive direct compensation for these contributions, even if they significantly benefit the Hydrodog system.