Are the Petro Stopping Center Manuals considered secret?
Petro_Stopping_Center Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
Source: Item 14 — Other investments (FDD pages 131–208)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Petro Stopping Center's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the manuals provided to franchisees are considered confidential and contain trade secrets. Petro Stopping Center will loan one copy of the manuals to the franchisee during the term of the agreement, potentially in electronic form. These manuals contain Petro System Standards for operating a Petro Center and information about the franchisee's obligations. Franchisees must follow these standards and any updates communicated by Petro Stopping Center.
The franchisee is obligated to maintain the manuals as confidential and keep the information within them secret. They must also keep their copy of the manuals current and secure. The master copy maintained by Petro Stopping Center will be controlling in case of disputes. Franchisees are prohibited from copying or reproducing any part of the manuals. If a manual is lost or damaged, the franchisee must obtain a replacement copy at Petro Stopping Center's then-applicable charge.
This confidentiality extends beyond the manuals themselves. Any improvements or developments related to the Petro Center's operation that the franchisee or their personnel create also become the property of Petro Stopping Center and are considered confidential information. This includes ideas, copyrightable works, concepts, methods, techniques, or improvements. Franchisees must disclose these improvements to Petro Stopping Center.
Franchisees must ensure that their employees and others with access to confidential information sign confidentiality agreements to protect this information. Unauthorized disclosure of confidential information by the franchisee's owners or personnel can result in liability. However, the confidentiality restrictions do not apply to information that is generally known to the public, as long as the franchisee did not cause the disclosure. Disclosure may also be permitted if legally compelled in judicial or administrative proceedings, provided Petro Stopping Center has the opportunity to obtain a protective order.