Is an Aplus franchisee authorized to make any contract, agreement, warranty, or representation on behalf of the Franchisor?

This Agreement is purely a contractual relationship between the parties and does not appoint or make Franchisee an agent, legal representative, joint venture, partner, employee, servant or independent contractor of Franchisor for any purpose whatsoever. Franchisee may not represent or imply to third parties that Franchisee is an agent of Franchisor, and Franchisee is in no way authorized to make any contract, agreement, warranty or representation on behalf of Franchisor, or to create any obligation, express or implied, on Franchisor's behalf. During the term of this Agreement, and any extension or renewal hereof, Franchisee shall hold itself out to the public only as a franchisee and an owner of the Franchised Business operating the Franchised Business pursuant to a franchise from Franchisor. Franchisee shall take such affirmative action as may be necessary to do so including, without limitation, exhibiting a notice of that fact in a conspicuous place on all forms, stationery or other written materials, the content of which Franchisor has the right to specify. Under no circumstances shall Franchisor be liable for any act, omission, contract, debt, nor any other obligation of Franchisee. Franchisor shall in no way be responsible for any injuries to persons or property resulting from the operation of the Franchised Business. Any third-party contractors and vendors retained by Franchisee to convert or construct the premises are independent contractors of Franchisee alone. Franchisee further acknowledges and agrees that Franchisee is solely responsible for all decisions relating to employees, agents, and independent contractors that Franchisee may hire to assist in the operation of Franchised Business. Franchisee agrees that any employee, agent, or independent contractor that Franchisee hires will be Franchisee's employee, agent, or independent contractor, and not Franchisor's employee, agent, or independent contractor. Franchisee also agrees that Franchisee is exclusively responsible for the terms and conditions of employment of Franchisee's employees, including recruiting, hiring, firing, training, compensation, work hours and schedules, work assignments, safety and security, discipline, and supervision. Franchisee agrees to manage the employment functions of Franchisee's Store in compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws.

Source: Item 23 — RECEIPT (FDD pages 68–302)