Can the franchisor use information from a Southern Steer franchisee's books for any purpose?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
e Franchisor, any information relating to the Southern Steer Business, including the Franchisee's name, any address and/or telephone number(s), Gross Revenues, expenses, results of operations and/or other information. Any disclosure by the Franchisor will be for reasonable Southern Steer Business purposes, and its rights under this provision will survive the Transfer, termination or expiration of this Agreement.
- 14.9. Ownership of Southern Steer Business Records. The Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that the Franchisor will at all times have unrestricted access to all Southern Steer Business records ("Southern Steer Business Records") with respect to customers, and other service professionals of, and/or related to, the Southern Steer Business including, without limitation, all databases (whether in print, electronic or other form), including all names, addresses, phone numbers, e-mail addresses, customer purchase records, and all other records contained in the database and all other Southern Steer Business Records created and maintained by the Franchisee are the sole property of the Franchisor. The Franchisee further acknowledges and agrees that all Southern Steer Business Records are the sole property of the Franchisor.
15. PROPRIETARY MATERIALS AND MARKS.
15.1. Ownership.
- (a) Title.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, Southern Steer has unrestricted access to all Southern Steer Business Records. These records encompass customer information, service professional details, databases (in any format), names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, customer purchase records, and any other records created and maintained by the franchisee. All such records are the sole property of Southern Steer.
Southern Steer also has the right to disclose information relating to the Southern Steer Business in its Franchise Disclosure Document, as required by law, and in other documents and places as determined by Southern Steer. This includes the franchisee's name, address, telephone number(s), gross revenues, expenses, results of operations, and other information.
Furthermore, Southern Steer has the right to use all interviews, photographs, and videotapes of the franchisee's Southern Steer Business for purposes it deems appropriate. These purposes include use in advertising, marketing, and promotional materials, without needing the franchisee's approval or providing any compensation. This broad access and usage right gives Southern Steer significant control over the data and promotional aspects of each franchise location.