Is the Brand Manual for Southern Steer confidential?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
nce with specifications and plans prepared by You based upon Our standards and subject to Our approval. You will pay all costs and expenses for construction plans and specifications for Your Southern Steer Business (see Section 5.5 of the Franchise Agreement).
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- Provide You access to the Brand Manual. The Brand Manual is confidential and will remain Our property during and after the term of the Franchise Agreement. A copy of the table of contents to the Brand Manual that consists of 130 pages is attached to this Franchise Disclosure Document as Exhibit H. (see Section 11 of the Franchise Agreement).
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- Provide You with access to Our current list of initial inventories for Goods, Supplies and Services required for Your Southern Steer Business (see Sections 7, 8.2 and 10(g) of the Franchise Agreement).
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- Provide You with access to Our current list of designated and approved suppliers and/or specifications for the Goods, Supplies and Services required by Us for use or sale in and operation of Your Southern Steer Business (see Sections 7, 8.2 and 10.2(g) of the Franchise Agreement).
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- Provide You with access to Our current initial marketing material which may include flyers, promo cards and menus (see Section 10.2(h) and 10.3(d) of the Franchise Agreement).
Source: Item 11 — ITEM. 11 FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND TRAINING (FDD pages 26–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the Brand Manual is considered confidential and remains the property of the franchisor, Southern Steer. This confidentiality extends both during and after the term of the Franchise Agreement. The Brand Manual contains the operational systems, procedures, policies, methods, and requirements that franchisees must follow. It may also include supplemental bulletins, notices, revisions, modifications, or amendments. The Brand Manual is approximately 130 pages, and its table of contents is included as Exhibit H in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Southern Steer may modify the Brand Manual, and while these modifications are not intended to substantially and materially alter a franchisee's rights, franchisees are responsible for staying updated on any changes. Southern Steer may notify franchisees of changes through various methods, including email or posting on an intranet or website, and franchisees are responsible for checking these resources. Franchisees are obligated to comply with any modifications and are responsible for any costs incurred to comply, which may include purchasing updated equipment, products, and supplies.
In case of any dispute regarding the contents of the Brand Manual, the master copy maintained by Southern Steer at its principal office will be the controlling reference. Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must return the Brand Manual and all other related written materials to Southern Steer. This is a fairly standard practice in franchising, as brand standards and operating procedures are crucial for maintaining consistency across all franchise locations and protecting the brand's intellectual property.