What cooperation is required of a Southern Steer franchisee in confirming, perfecting, preserving, and enforcing the franchisor's rights?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
lic and commence operations by the Required Opening Date set out in Attachment A.
(b) Best Efforts. Franchisee agrees at all times during the Initial Term and any Interim Period to faithfully, honestly and diligently perform Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement, including in the promotion and development of Franchisee's Southern Steer Business in Franchisee's Protected Territory.
(c) Conduct. Franchisee will at all times cooperate with Franchisor, existing and prospective Southern Steer franchisees, and Affiliates in accomplishing the purpose of this Agreement. Franchisee agrees, at all times, to give prompt, courteous, friendly, and efficient service to all current and prospective customers. Franchisee agrees to adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, fair dealing and ethical conduct when dealing with current and prospective customers, suppliers, Franchisor, Affiliates and the public.
(d) Presentation Of Uniform Image. The presentation of a uniform image to the public is an essential element of the System. Franchisee will maintain the image of the Southern Steer Business at all times in accordance with Franchisor's standards and specifications, including: (i) ensuring that the Franchised Location is maintained in a clean and orderly manner; (ii) ensuring that all FF&E remain in good, clean condition and inventory is properly displayed; and (iii) only offering such types of products, food items and services, including Food, Beverages and Products, that Franchisor authorizes from time to time for use by Franchise's Southern Steer Business as set forth in the Brand Manual and this Agreement.
(e) Cooperation. Franchisee agrees to cooperate with and communicate directly with Franchisor. Franchisee agrees to notify Franchisor of any change of Franchisee's Southern Steer Business or personal address, telephone number, facsimile number or e-mail address within 10 days of any such change.
(f) Promotions. Franchisee will fully participate in all such promotional campaigns, prize contests, special offers and other programs, national, regional or local in nature (including the introduction of new products, services and Food, Beverages and Products, or other marketing programs directed or approved by Franchisor), which are prescribed from time to time by Franchisor. Franchisee will be responsible for the costs of such participation.
(g) Gift Cards; Loyalty Programs. Franchisee will not create or issue any gift certificates or gift cards and will only sell gift certificates or gift cards that have been issued by the Franchisor that are accepted at all Southern Steer Businesses. Franchisee will participate in all gift certificate and/or gift card administration programs as may be designated by the Franchisor from time to time. The Franchisee will honor all coupons, gift certificates, gift cards and other programs or promotions as directed by the Franchisor, even if the Franchisee is not required by the Franchisor to actively offer or promote such programs or promotions within the Franchisee's Protected Area. The Franchisee will fully participate in all customer loyalty or frequent customer programs approved by the Franchisor, even if the Franchisee is not required by the Franchisor to actively promote such programs within the Franchisee's Protected Area. The Franchisee acknowledges that a customer loyalty program and gift card program may include technology and system components or applications involving third-party vendors identified by the Franchisor, and the Franchisee agrees to timely execute and deliver such documents, contracts, or agreements as the Franchisor may reasonably require to facilitate such programs. The Franchisee will not issue coupons or discounts of any type for use at its Southern Steer Business except as approved by the Franchisor in writing, which may be withheld in its sole and absolute discretion.
(h) Southern Steer Business Hours. Franchisee's Southern Steer Business will be open during the hours specified in the Brand Manual. During business hours, the Franchisee will have Management Staff on duty responsible for supervising the Southern Steer Business's employees and operations.
(i) Personnel. The Franchisee will have a sufficient number of adequately trained and competent personnel on duty to guarantee efficient service to the customers of the Southern Steer Business and operation of the Southern Steer Business. The Franchisee will require its employees to meet the appearance standards and to wear the prescribed attire or uniforms described in the Brand Manual. The Franchisee will be responsible for the operation of its Southern Steer Business, and will control, supervise and manage all the employees, agents and independent contractors who work for or with the Franchisee. The Franchisor will not have any right, obligation or responsibility to control, supervise or manage the Franchisee's employees, agents or independent contractors.
(j) Operation of Other Businesses. The Franchisee will use the Franchised Location solely for the operation of a Southern Steer Business and will not directly or indirectly operate or engage in any other business or activity from the Franchised Location. The Franchisee will not participate in any dual branding program, or in any other program, promotion or business pursuant to which another trademark, service mark, trade name, or commercial symbol is used in connection with the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business or at the Franchised Location.
(k) Music and Music Selection.
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 have several obligations to cooperate with Southern Steer to protect the brand's interests. Franchisees must cooperate with Southern Steer, existing franchisees, and prospective franchisees to achieve the agreement's purpose. This includes providing prompt, courteous, friendly, and efficient service to customers and adhering to high standards of honesty and ethical conduct when dealing with customers, suppliers, Southern Steer, and the public. Franchisees must also maintain the image of the Southern Steer business according to Southern Steer's standards, ensuring cleanliness, proper maintenance of fixtures and equipment, and offering only authorized products and services. Franchisees must cooperate and communicate directly with Southern Steer. Franchisees must notify Southern Steer of any changes to their business or personal contact information within 10 days of the change.
Southern Steer franchisees are required to participate fully in promotional campaigns, prize contests, special offers, and other marketing programs as directed or approved by Southern Steer, and they are responsible for the costs of participation. Franchisees must use only gift certificates or gift cards issued by Southern Steer and participate in any gift card administration programs. They must also honor coupons, gift certificates, and other promotions as directed by Southern Steer, even if they are not required to actively promote them in their protected area. Franchisees must participate in customer loyalty programs approved by Southern Steer and execute any necessary documents to facilitate these programs. Franchisees cannot issue coupons or discounts without written approval from Southern Steer.
Southern Steer retains ownership of all Southern Steer Business Records related to customers and service professionals, including databases with names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and purchase records. Southern Steer has unrestricted access to these records at all times. Franchisees acknowledge that all Southern Steer Business Records are the sole property of Southern Steer. Franchisees must also maintain sufficient working capital to operate the Southern Steer business and fulfill their obligations under the agreement, including maintaining, remodeling, and modernizing the premises as required. Franchisees must disclose that they are an independent entity licensed by Southern Steer in all dealings with third parties, including employees, suppliers, and customers.