What is a Southern Steer franchisee prohibited from doing with the Brand Manual?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee is prohibited from making copies of or otherwise disseminating the Brand Manual.
The Franchisee will not use the Brand Manual, or any information contained therein for any purpose other than the operation of the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business.
Upon expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason whatsoever, Franchisee will forthwith return all copies of the Brand Manual which Franchisee may have to Franchisor.
- 11.4.
Confidentiality of Manual.
The Franchisee will treat the Brand Manual and any other manuals created for or approved for use in the operation of the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business as Confidential Information.
The Franchisee will use all reasonable means to keep the contents of the Brand Manual secret and will only grant access to the Brand Manual to those employees who must use the Brand Manual in the performance of their employment duties in the Franchisee's Southern Steer Business.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Southern Steer's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are prohibited from making copies of or disseminating the Brand Manual. The Brand Manual is loaned to the franchisee and remains the sole and exclusive property of the franchisor. Franchisees are also prohibited from using the Brand Manual or any information contained within it for any purpose other than operating their Southern Steer Business.
Southern Steer provides franchisees with access to the Brand Manual electronically, through a secure Internet webpage (Intranet), or by another method adopted by the franchisor. Franchisees must keep their copy of the Brand Manual current and up-to-date. In case of any dispute regarding the Brand Manual, the terms of the master copy maintained by Southern Steer will be controlling.
Upon the expiration or termination of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must immediately return all copies of the Brand Manual to Southern Steer. Franchisees must also treat the Brand Manual and any other manuals approved for use in their Southern Steer Business as Confidential Information, using all reasonable means to keep its contents secret. Access to the Brand Manual should only be granted to employees who need it to perform their job duties within the Southern Steer Business.