Who owns the Brand Manual for a Southern Steer franchise?
Southern_Steer Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee hereby acknowledge that the Brand Manual is loaned to Franchisee and will at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of Franchisor.
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.
Source: Item 22 — ITEM. 22 CONTRACTS (FDD pages 61–168)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Southern Steer Franchise Disclosure Document, the Brand Manual remains the sole and exclusive property of the Franchisor. While franchisees are granted access to the Brand Manual, it is considered to be on loan. Franchisees are prohibited from making copies or disseminating the Brand Manual and can only use it for operating their Southern Steer Business.
Southern Steer retains the right to modify the Brand Manual at its discretion to adapt to changing market conditions, customer needs, and technological advancements. These changes may include altering the System's components, modifying the food and beverage offerings, and updating the Marks. Franchisees are responsible for implementing these changes at their own cost within the timeframe specified by Southern Steer.
Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must return all copies of the Brand Manual to Southern Steer. Franchisees must also treat the Brand Manual as Confidential Information, limiting access to employees who require it for their job duties. This ensures that the proprietary information within the Brand Manual remains protected and is not used for any purpose that could harm the Southern Steer brand.