Why Non-Disclosures (NDAs) Should be Outlawed in Franchising Pt. 1

Or maybe non-disparagement clauses like this in Dickey's Franchise Agreement. It doesn't matter if what you say is true!

"D. Neither you nor your Owner/Operator nor any of your Investors shall publish or communicate in any way (or assist, encourage, or support) to any third party any statement that might reasonably be construed to be disparaging, defamatory, derogatory, negative, or critical of the personal or business reputation, acumen, skill, practices, or conduct of Dickey’s, its subsidiaries, or affiliates, including each party’s respective officers, directors or employees, in connection with this Agreement or any prior agreement between the parties and the purchase and operation of any Dickey’s Barbecue Pit® Restaurant and franchise. With regard to this provision, the person alleged to have violated this provision agrees to waive his/her rights to prior restraint on speech and consents to the issuance of a temporary restraining order, temporary injunction, or other available injunctive relief designed to prevent any further breach of this provision. Additionally, if you or your Owner/Operator or any of your Investors publish or communicate any statement to a third-party that is disparaging, defamatory, derogatory, negative, or critical of the personal or business reputation, acumen, skill, practices, or conduct of Dickey’s, its subsidiaries, or affiliates, including each party’s respective officers, directors or employees the other party, you and your Owner/Operator and your Investors agree to assign all copyrights to such publications or communications to Dickey’s. You and your Owner/Operator and your Investors agree to take whatever action (including signing assignment or other documents) that Dickey’s requests to evidence its ownership or to help Dickey’s obtain intellectual property rights in the copyrights to such publications or communications."