What is the definition of 'Confidential Information' for a Zoomin Groomin franchise?
Zoomin_Groomin Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
n 6.2. We reserve the right to share performance data of your Franchised Business with individuals and agents who need it to provide us with assistance. We may also disclose aggregate performance data in our franchise disclosure documents.
Confidentiality
6.1.Definition
The term "Confidential Information" is defined as non-public sensitive or proprietary material related to our Franchise System, relationship with you or the Franchise Business whether provided by us or by you. The disclosure may be oral or written in any form including tangible, intangible and electronic media regardless whether it is marked. For the avoidance of doubt, Confidential Information includes Client lists, performance data and reports from our Franchise System along with any notes, summaries or other derivative works. Confidential Information does not include material that: a) you possessed more than thirty (30) days before the Effective Date of any contract between us, b) independently developed, c) obtained from a third party with no corresponding obligation of confidentiality, or d) in the public domain.
6.2.Confidentiality
You will not directly or indirectly disclose, publish, share with any third party any Confidential Information without our prior written consent. You may share Confidential Information with your employees or agents that need it to complete essential job functions if they are covered by equivalent restrictions.
Source: Item 14 — PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION (FDD pages 36–37)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Zoomin Groomin FDD, 'Confidential Information' is defined as non-public, sensitive, or proprietary material related to the Zoomin Groomin franchise system, the relationship between the franchisor and franchisee, or the franchise business itself. This information can be provided by either the franchisor or the franchisee and can be disclosed orally or in writing, regardless of whether it is marked as confidential. It includes tangible, intangible, and electronic media. Client lists, performance data, and reports from the franchise system, along with any notes, summaries, or derivative works, are explicitly included in the definition of Confidential Information.
However, the definition of 'Confidential Information' does not include material that the franchisee possessed more than thirty (30) days before the effective date of any contract between Zoomin Groomin and the franchisee, material that the franchisee independently developed, material obtained from a third party without any confidentiality obligation, or material that is already in the public domain.
As a Zoomin Groomin franchisee, you are obligated to protect this Confidential Information and not disclose it to third parties without prior written consent from Zoomin Groomin. You may share Confidential Information with your employees or agents if they need it to perform essential job functions and are subject to equivalent confidentiality restrictions. You are only allowed to use Confidential Information to fulfill your obligations under the Franchise Agreement and must not use it for your own benefit or in a way that harms Zoomin Groomin. This restriction extends to not using Confidential Information in a competing business that could be detrimental to Zoomin Groomin.