Does 7 Brew limit whom a store may hire?

OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS**

Brand Standards may require adequate staffing levels to operate the Store in compliance with Brand Standards and may address appearance of Store personnel and courteous service to customers. However, you have sole responsibility and authority for your labor relations and employment practices, including, among other things, employee selection, promotion, termination, hours worked, rates of pay, benefits, work assigned, discipline, adjustment of grievances and complaints, and working conditions. Store employees are under your control at the Store.

You must designate one of your individual owners to serve as your "Managing Owner." We must pre-approve the proposed Managing Owner or any replacement Managing Owner. The Managing Owner will communicate with us directly regarding Store-related matters and must have sufficient authority to make business decisions for you and the Store. The Managing Owner's decisions will be final and will bind you. While we recommend that the Managing Owner attend certain portions of Initial Training, the Managing Owner is not required to do so.

The Store must have at least 2 fully-trained on-site managers. A Store manager need not have an equity interest in you or the Store. Store managers and your officers and directors must sign confidentiality and other agreements (including non-compete agreements) we specify or preapprove (if applicable law allows). Our right to pre-approve your forms is solely to protect Confidential Information and the competitiveness of 7 BREW Stores. Under no circumstances will we control the forms or terms of employment agreements you use with Store employees or otherwise be responsible for your labor relations or employment practices. We do not limit whom your Store may hire.

Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 52–53)