What communication and transmission equipment and systems are franchisees required to obtain and maintain for their Southern Steer Business?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
8. EQUIPMENT; COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
- 8.1.
Communications Equipment; Telephone Lines.
The Franchisee will, at its sole expense, obtain and maintain the dedicated telephone lines, high speed Internet connections, and other communication and transmission equipment and systems for the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business as are specified in the Brand Manual or otherwise in writing.
The Franchisee will install and maintain telephone answering systems and other telephonic devices at the Southern Steer Business and will operate all communication and transmission systems and devices as specified by the Franchisor in the Brand Manual or otherwise in writing.
- 8.2.
Computer Hardware and Software; Point-of-Sale System.
The Franchisee will, at its sole expense, lease, license or purchase the computer hardware, computer software, peripheral devices and point-of-sale, cash register, credit card processing, online ordering, loyalty scanner, or other systems related to credit card processing, and operating systems ("Computers and Software") that meet the standards, specifications and requirements established by the Franchisor as set forth in the Brand Manual or otherwise in writing.
The Franchisee's Computers and Software will be configured to provide the Franchisor with direct electronic access to the Franchisee's Computers and Software, and databases to upload the data, financial information and other information the Franchisee is required to provide to the Franchisor pursuant to this Agreement or the Brand Manual, including Gross Revenues, and by category, direct labor costs and food costs.
The Franchisee will, upon written notice from the Franchisor, modify, enhance, update and upgrade the Computers and Software (including timely executing and delivering any documents, contracts, or agreements as Franchisor may reasonably require), at its sole expense, to the standards, specifications and requirements specified in the Brand Manual or otherwise in writing by the Franchisor.
- 8.3.
Internet Provider; E-Mail Address.
The Franchisee will, at the Franchisee's expense, have access to the Internet.
Franchisor will provide Franchisee with a Southern Steer Butcher e-mail address which will be used by the Franchisee and the Franchisor to communicate and to transmit documents and other information.
The Franchisee will not use the words "Southern Steer Butcher" as any part of any of e-mail address, e-mail alias, or domain name (Uniform Resource Locator) for any website registered or maintained by the Franchisee on the Internet.
The Franchisee will not transmit any Confidential Information, Trade Secrets, Sensitive Information, documents or data without complying with the security measures set forth in Section 9.7 or as otherwise may be adopted by the Franchisor.
The Franchisor reserves the right to require encrypted transmissions of Confidential Information and/or Sensitive Information.
The
Franchisee will not make any derogatory, defamatory or libelous statements in any transmission made via the Internet, through any Intranet network or by any other means.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to obtain and maintain specific communication and transmission equipment for their Southern Steer business. This includes dedicated telephone lines, high-speed internet connections, and other communication and transmission equipment and systems as specified in the Brand Manual or in writing by Southern Steer. Franchisees must also install and maintain telephone answering systems and other telephonic devices at their Southern Steer Business.
Southern Steer franchisees are also responsible for leasing, licensing, or purchasing computer hardware, software, peripheral devices, and point-of-sale systems that meet Southern Steer's standards. These systems encompass cash register, credit card processing, online ordering, and loyalty scanner functionalities. The computer systems must allow Southern Steer direct electronic access to the franchisee's data, including gross revenues, direct labor costs, and food costs. Franchisees are obligated to modify, enhance, update, and upgrade their computer systems as directed by Southern Steer.
Southern Steer requires franchisees to have internet access and provides them with a Southern Steer Butcher email address for communication and document transmission. Franchisees are restricted from using "Southern Steer Butcher" in any other email address or domain name. They must also adhere to security measures for transmitting confidential information and refrain from making derogatory statements online. These requirements ensure that franchisees maintain consistent communication standards and protect sensitive information while operating their Southern Steer Business.