What does the Itan agreement require you to maintain at all times regarding Confidential Information?

According to Itan's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, several provisions address the handling of confidential information. Specifically, as an employee or independent contractor of an Itan franchisee, you must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information at all times. This obligation is designed to protect Itan's intellectual property and franchise system.

This requirement means that you cannot disclose or use any confidential information related to Itan's operations, systems, or business practices for any purpose other than operating the franchisee's salon. You must also refrain from making unauthorized copies of documents containing confidential information and take all steps reasonably required by Itan to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure. This obligation extends to refraining from using the intellectual property and confidential information once you are no longer associated with the Itan franchisee.

Itan defines "Confidential Information" broadly to include Know-How, Business Data (including customer information), information in the Manual or comprising the System, terms of the Franchise Agreement, and other concepts, ideas, trade secrets, financial information, marketing strategies, expansion strategies, studies, supplier information, franchisee information, investor information, flow charts, inventions, mask works, improvements, discoveries, standards, specifications, formulae, recipes, designs, sketches, drawings, policies, processes, procedures, methodologies and techniques, together with analyses, compilations, studies or other documents that are designated as confidential, known to be considered confidential, or reasonably considered confidential due to their nature.

Itan also addresses the risk of confidential information being disclosed to family members. An owner could circumvent the confidentiality rules by disclosing information to immediate family, so Itan presumes a violation if a family member engages in prohibited activities or uses confidential information. However, the owner can rebut this presumption by proving they did not disclose the information. Furthermore, all employees, officers, directors, independent contractors, and other persons associated with the franchisee or the salon must sign a Confidentiality Agreement before accessing Itan's confidential information, or a Brand Protection Agreement.