Must I keep the information in the Pearce Bespoke Manuals confidential after the franchise term?
Pearce_Bespoke Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must keep confidential during and after the term of the franchise agreement all information contained in the Manuals. You cannot duplicate or provide any information contained in the Manuals to any party other than, during the term of the franchise agreement, those of your employees who need to know that information. When the franchise agreement terminates, you must return to Pearce Bespoke all copies of each Manual and all other material Pearce Bespoke has copyrighted or designated as confidential.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 29–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Pearce Bespoke's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must maintain the confidentiality of all information contained in the Pearce Bespoke Manuals both during and after the term of the franchise agreement. This obligation extends beyond the active period of the agreement, requiring franchisees to safeguard proprietary information even after the franchise relationship concludes. Franchisees are prohibited from duplicating or sharing any information from the manuals with external parties, except with employees who require the information during the franchise term.
Upon termination of the franchise agreement, franchisees are required to return all copies of the Pearce Bespoke Manuals and any other materials copyrighted or designated as confidential by Pearce Bespoke. This ensures that all sensitive and proprietary information remains under the control of the franchisor. The franchisor also stipulates that all customer lists or information obtained by the franchisee are the property of Pearce Bespoke and may be used by Pearce Bespoke for marketing purposes both during and after the franchise term.
Moreover, Pearce Bespoke requires that all employees with managerial duties and access to confidential information, as well as corporate officers, directors, and shareholders, sign confidentiality and non-competition agreements. These agreements ensure that these individuals maintain the confidentiality of the information both during and after their association with the Pearce Bespoke franchise. Franchisees are responsible for enforcing these agreements and must take action against any breaches, with Pearce Bespoke retaining the right to enforce these agreements independently.
This ongoing confidentiality obligation is a standard practice in franchising to protect the franchisor's intellectual property and trade secrets. Prospective Pearce Bespoke franchisees should understand that this requirement is a significant aspect of the franchise agreement and that failure to comply can result in legal consequences.