Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using FDDHub, FDDAdvisor, or any related services (collectively, the "Service") operated by Paralex Inc. ("Company," "we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.

These Terms apply to all visitors, users, and others who access or use the Service, including prospective franchisees and other research users (collectively, "Users" or "you"). Franchisor customers are separately governed by the FDDHub Subscription Agreement.

2. Description of Service

FDDHub is a franchise intelligence platform that facilitates the secure distribution and analysis of Franchise Disclosure Documents ("FDDs"). FDDAdvisor is a complementary public research tool that helps prospective franchisees explore and understand franchise opportunities through educational content and AI-assisted tools.

The Service includes, but is not limited to:

• Secure delivery and viewing of Franchise Disclosure Documents
• AI-powered educational tools to help understand FDD content
• Communication tools between franchisors and prospective franchisees

3. User Accounts

To access certain features of the Service, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Maintain the security of your password and accept all risks of unauthorized access
• Immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account
• Not share your account credentials with any third party

You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.

4. Intellectual Property Rights

4.1 Company Intellectual Property

The Service and its original content, features, functionality, and all related intellectual property rights are and will remain the exclusive property of Paralex Inc. and its licensors. This includes, without limitation:

• The FDDHub and FDDAdvisor platforms, including all software, code, and architecture
• All trademarks, service marks, logos, and trade names
• All analytical models, scoring rubrics, and proprietary methodologies
• User interface designs, layouts, and visual elements
• Documentation, guides, and educational content

4.2 Prohibition on Reverse Engineering

YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOU WILL NOT, AND WILL NOT PERMIT ANY THIRD PARTY TO:

• Reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code, algorithms, data structures, or underlying ideas of any part of the Service
• Use any automated means, including bots, scrapers, or crawlers, to access, extract, or collect data from the Service
• Attempt to probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the Service or circumvent any security measures
• Access or attempt to access any systems, data, or information not intentionally made available through the Service

4.3 Prohibition on Derivative and Competitive Works

YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOU WILL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY:

• Create, develop, or distribute any product, service, or system that competes with or is substantially similar to the Service, FDDHub, or FDDAdvisor
• Use information, insights, methodologies, or knowledge gained from the Service to create any competing franchise intelligence, rating, or analysis platform
• Create derivative works based on the Service, including but not limited to franchise scoring systems, FDD analysis tools, or franchise buyer platforms
• License, sublicense, sell, resell, transfer, assign, or otherwise commercially exploit or make available to any third party the Service or any content obtained through the Service
• Aggregate, republish, redistribute, or create databases from any analyses or other proprietary data from the Service
• Use the Service to develop or train any artificial intelligence, machine learning model, or similar technology that could be used to compete with the Service

5. User Conduct

You agree not to use the Service to:

• Violate any applicable laws, regulations, or third-party rights
• Upload or transmit viruses, malware, or other malicious code
• Interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers connected to the Service
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
• Harvest, collect, or store personal data about other users
• Send unsolicited communications, promotions, or spam
• Engage in any activity that could damage, disable, or impair the Service

6. Franchise Disclosure Documents and FDD Integrity

6.1 FDD Delivery

FDDHub facilitates the electronic delivery of FDDs in compliance with the FTC Franchise Rule, 16 C.F.R. Part 436. Franchisors are solely responsible for ensuring their FDDs are accurate, current, and properly registered in applicable states.

6.2 FDD Integrity and Non-Modification

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT:

• The Franchise Disclosure Document provided through the Service is the official disclosure document prepared and filed by the applicable franchisor in compliance with the FTC Franchise Rule and applicable state franchise laws
• Analyses, AI-generated summaries, and all other content provided by the Service are separate and distinct from the FDD and do not modify, amend, supplement, or otherwise alter the FDD in any way
• The Service displays the FDD in its complete, unmodified form as provided by the franchisor, and no content generated by the Service, including but not limited to AI-generated summaries or analytical commentary, shall be construed as part of the FDD
• Any discrepancy between the FDD and content provided by the Service shall be resolved in favor of the information contained in the FDD
• The FDD remains the sole authoritative source of disclosure information required by federal and state law, and you should rely exclusively on the FDD for purposes of franchise disclosure compliance

7. AI-Powered Features

The Service includes artificial intelligence-powered features, including but not limited to AI chat assistants and automated analysis tools. You acknowledge and agree that:

• AI-generated content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice
• AI responses are based on information in the FDD and may not be complete or accurate
• AI-generated content does not modify or supplement the FDD
• You should verify any AI-generated information against the original FDD and consult with qualified professionals
• AI features are tools to assist your research, not replacements for professional due diligence

7.1 Text Messaging Program (Paralex FDD Assistant)

If you opt in to text messages, you agree to receive automated text messages from Paralex, the FDD assistant for the franchise brand whose Franchise Disclosure Document you requested. Messages include document delivery notifications, review reminders, and AI-generated responses to questions you ask by text. The following terms apply to the text messaging program:

• Consent is voluntary and is not a condition of any purchase
• Message frequency varies based on your activity and questions
• Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier plan
• You can opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. After opting out, you will receive one final message confirming your opt-out. Reply HELP for help, or contact us using the information in Section 16
• Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages
• Text responses are AI-generated content and are subject to the AI provisions in this Section 7, including that they are informational only, do not constitute professional advice, and do not modify or supplement the FDD

8. Privacy

Your use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand our practices regarding your personal information.

9. Disclaimer of Warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that the Service will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components.

10. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARALEX INC. AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, OR GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY RELIANCE ON ANY CONTENT PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICE.

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ALL CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE SERVICE EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID US, IF ANY, IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

YOU SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PARALEX INC. SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSSES OR DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR DECISION TO INVEST OR NOT INVEST IN ANY FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITY, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DECISION WAS INFLUENCED BY ANY CONTENT OR AI-GENERATED INFORMATION PROVIDED THROUGH THE SERVICE.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Paralex Inc. and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or in connection with:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of a third party
• Any content you submit or transmit through the Service
• Any franchise investment decision you make based in whole or in part on the Service

12. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account and access to the Service immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including if you breach these Terms.

Upon termination, your right to use the Service will immediately cease. All provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination shall survive, including but not limited to intellectual property provisions, warranty disclaimers, indemnification, and limitations of liability.

13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

13.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. The Federal Arbitration Act governs the interpretation and enforcement of the arbitration provisions below.

13.2 Agreement to Arbitrate

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING YOUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT IN COURT AND TO HAVE A JURY TRIAL.

Except for the matters described in Section 13.5, you and Paralex Inc. agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service (a "Dispute") shall be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Commercial Arbitration Rules (or, for disputes involving a consumer, its Consumer Arbitration Rules) then in effect, rather than in court. The arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator, will take place in Austin, Travis County, Texas (or by videoconference where permitted by the AAA rules), and will be conducted in the English language. The arbitrator's award may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

13.3 Class Action and Jury Trial Waiver

You and Paralex Inc. agree that each may bring claims against the other only in your or its individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported class, consolidated, or representative proceeding. The arbitrator may not consolidate more than one person's claims or preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. You and Paralex Inc. also waive any right to a trial by jury.

13.4 30-Day Right to Opt Out

You may opt out of the arbitration agreement and class action waiver in Sections 13.2 and 13.3 by sending written notice to legal@fddhub.com within thirty (30) days of first accepting these Terms. Your notice must include your name, the email associated with your account, and a clear statement that you wish to opt out of arbitration. If you opt out, the courts identified in Section 13.5 will resolve any Dispute. Opting out of arbitration does not affect any other provision of these Terms.

13.5 Exceptions and Forum for Non-Arbitrable Claims

Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in court to protect its intellectual property rights (Section 4 of this Agreement). For any Dispute not subject to arbitration, or if the arbitration agreement is found not to apply to you or to a particular Dispute, you agree that such Dispute shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Austin, Travis County, Texas, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.

13.6 Survival and Severability

This Section 13 survives termination of these Terms. If the class action waiver in Section 13.3 is found to be unenforceable as to a particular claim or request for relief, that claim or request shall be severed and brought in court, while all other claims shall proceed in arbitration.

14. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will provide notice of material changes by posting the updated Terms on this page with a new "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Service after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

15. Miscellaneous

• Entire Agreement: These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Paralex Inc. regarding the Service.
• Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.
• Waiver: Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of such right or provision.
• Assignment: You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

16. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at: