Who should a Southern Steer franchisee grant access to the Brand Manual?

According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee must treat the Brand Manual as confidential information and use reasonable means to keep its contents secret. The franchisee is permitted to grant access to the Brand Manual only to those employees who need to use it to perform their job duties within the Southern Steer Business. This ensures that sensitive operational and brand-related information is protected and only disseminated on a need-to-know basis.

This policy is typical in franchising, as Brand Manuals contain proprietary information critical to maintaining brand standards and operational consistency. By limiting access, Southern Steer aims to prevent unauthorized disclosure of its trade secrets and maintain a competitive advantage. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring that employees understand the confidential nature of the Brand Manual and adhere to these access restrictions.

The franchisee is prohibited from making copies or disseminating the Brand Manual, and upon termination of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must return all copies of the Brand Manual to Southern Steer. This underscores the franchisor's ownership and control over the Brand Manual and its contents. Franchisees should implement internal controls to manage access and prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of the Brand Manual.