Is a Southern Steer franchisee required to have internet access?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
s the right to collect these amounts in addition to any and all of the Franchisor's other rights for non-compliance provided for under this Agreement. The Franchisee and the Franchisor agree that these amounts are reasonable, constitute liquidated damages, and are not a penalty.
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.
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 have internet access for their business. Specifically, the franchisee is responsible for obtaining and maintaining high-speed internet connections at their own expense. This requirement ensures that the Southern Steer business can operate efficiently and meet the brand's standards for communication and data transmission.
Southern Steer will provide the franchisee with a Southern Steer Butcher email address for communication and document sharing between the franchisee and franchisor. However, the franchisee is restricted from using "Southern Steer Butcher" in any other email addresses, aliases, or domain names they might use. This is likely to maintain brand consistency and prevent customer confusion. The franchisee is also responsible for ensuring secure transmission of confidential information, trade secrets, and sensitive data, following security measures specified by Southern Steer.
In addition to internet access, Southern Steer franchisees must also maintain dedicated telephone lines and other communication equipment as specified in the Brand Manual. They are also required to lease, license, or purchase computer hardware, software, and point-of-sale systems that meet Southern Steer's standards. These systems must allow Southern Steer direct electronic access to the franchisee's data, including financial information like gross revenues, labor costs, and food costs. This comprehensive technology infrastructure is essential for the modern operation of a Southern Steer franchise.