factual

Am I required to maintain the Petro Stopping Center Manuals as confidential?

Petro_Stopping_Center Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

scribed in this Section 6.3. At your request, we will furnish reasonable guidance and assistance, as detailed in this Agreement, and, in such a case, may charge the per diem fees and charges we establish from time to time. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, we will not advise you regarding any matters governing the essential terms and conditions of your employer/employee relationships. Nothing in this Agreement shall give us the ability to hire, fire or discipline your employees, affect their compensation or benefits, or provide supervision or direction, nor will we endeavor to do so.

7. OPERATION OF PETRO® CENTER AND PETRO® SYSTEM STANDARDS.

  • 7.1 Manuals. We will loan you during the Term, one copy of the Manuals. The Manuals may be provided to you in electronic form and by any means of e-commerce we designate. The Manuals will contain, among other things, Petro System Standards that we prescribe from time to time for the operation of a Petro Center and information relating to your other obligations under this Agreement and related agreements. You agree to follow the standards, specifications and operating procedures we establish or revise periodically for the Petro System as described in the Manuals. You also must comply with all updates and amendments to the Petro System as described in newsletters or notices we distribute, including via computer systems. You must maintain the Manuals as confidential and maintain the information in the Manuals as secret and confidential. The Manuals may be modified, updated and revised from time to time to reflect changes in Petro System Standards. You agree to keep your copy of the Manuals (in hard copy or electronic form) current and in a secure location and by secure means at the Petro Center. In the event of a dispute relating to its contents, the master copy of the Manuals we maintain at our principal office (or if via e-commerce, on our Computer System) will be controlling. You may not at any time copy, duplicate, record or otherwise reproduce any part of the Manuals. If your copy of the Manuals is lost, destroyed or significantly damaged, you agree to obtain a replacement copy at our then applicable charge.

  • 7.2 Compliance with Petro® System Standards. You acknowledge and agree that your advertising, operation and maintenance of the Petro Center in accordance with Petro System Standards are essential to preserve our goodwill including the goodwill of the Petro System and the Marks. Therefore, at all times during the Term, you agree to operate and maintain your Petro Center in accordance with each and every Petro System Standard, as we periodically modify and supplement them during the Term. You agree to comply with our Petro System Standards prescribed from time to time in the Manuals, or otherwise communicated to you in writing or other tangible form. Petro System Standards may regulate any one or more of the following with respect to the Petro Centers:

  • (a) design, layout, decor, appearance and lighting; periodic maintenance, cleaning and sanitation; periodic remodeling; replacement of obsolete or worn-out leasehold improvements, fixtures, furnishings, equipment and signs; periodic painting; and use of interior and exterior signs, emblems, lettering and logos, and illumination;

  • (b) types, models and brands of required fixtures, furnishings, equipment, signs, software, materials and supplies;

  • (c) required or authorized Services and Products and product or service categories;

Source: Item 14 — Other investments (FDD pages 131–208)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to Petro Stopping Center's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must maintain the Petro Stopping Center Manuals as confidential. The Manuals contain Petro System Standards that Petro Stopping Center prescribes for the operation of a Petro Center, along with information relating to the franchisee's obligations under the Franchise Agreement. Franchisees must follow the standards, specifications, and operating procedures that Petro Stopping Center establishes and revises periodically. Franchisees must also comply with all updates and amendments to the Petro System as described in newsletters or notices Petro Stopping Center distributes.

The FDD states that franchisees must maintain the information in the Manuals as secret and confidential. The Manuals may be modified, updated, and revised periodically to reflect changes in Petro System Standards. Franchisees must keep their copy of the Manuals (in hard copy or electronic form) current and in a secure location and by secure means at the Petro Center. Franchisees may not copy, duplicate, record, or otherwise reproduce any part of the Manuals. If a franchisee's copy of the Manuals is lost, destroyed, or significantly damaged, they must obtain a replacement copy at Petro Stopping Center's then-applicable charge.

In addition to maintaining the confidentiality of the manuals, Petro Stopping Center franchisees must ensure that all personnel with access to confidential information sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Franchisees are liable to Petro Stopping Center for any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information by any of their owners and personnel. This obligation extends beyond just the manuals to include any improvements developed relating to the Petro Center.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.