Snakes has multiple videos and podcasts about gaming and "How to Snakes". It's their MO.
It's ALL good.
I have never seen another company in such a perfect scenario as Snakes. People need to understand that their biggest source of revenue (and profits) will come from distribution and publishing and both of those divisions will need customers to sell to. And who will be a better customer than other board game cafes! Whether they are Snakes & Lattes cafes or others, it's not going to matter.
I do hear you though that you don't really want to step on other franchisees toes, but their not at that point yet ..the US is wide open.
Harvard gives out free classes online, but no one would suggest that taking those free classes equals having a degree from Harvard.
The same thing happens with Snakes. They might show the competition the *shape* of the car, and they encourage their competition to make one if they can, but Snakes holds the key to the Ferrari.