What action is required after receiving the Craters & Freighters disclosure document?

According to the 2025 Craters & Freighters Franchise Disclosure Document, after receiving the disclosure document dated April 11, 2025, which includes a list of exhibits from A through J, you must sign and date a copy of the receipt and return it to Craters & Freighters at 331 Corporate Circle, Suite J, Golden, CO 80401. The exhibits include items such as a list of state agencies, the table of contents of operations manuals, lists of current and former franchisees, financial statements, the franchise agreement, state addenda, the Statement of Franchisee, a form of general release, and state effective pages and receipts.

It is important to carefully read the disclosure document and all agreements. Craters & Freighters must provide the disclosure document to you 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or make a payment. In certain states like Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, or South Dakota, the document must be provided at your first personal meeting. New York law requires it at the earlier of the first personal meeting or 10 business days before signing any agreement or paying any consideration.

If Craters & Freighters does not deliver the document on time, or if it contains false or misleading statements or omissions, a violation of federal and state law may have occurred. This should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C. 20580, and the appropriate state agency listed in Exhibit A. The FDD also lists the names, addresses, and phone numbers of Craters & Freighters' franchise sellers, including Matthew Schmitz, Tony Shaw, Mark Giraldi, Phil Krieg, Tom Raia, and Sam Winfrey, all located at 331 Corporate Circle, Suite J, Golden, CO 80401, (303) 399-8190.

Before signing any binding documents or paying any sums, Craters & Freighters strongly recommends consulting with an independent professional advisor, such as an attorney or accountant. They also advise discussing the proposed franchise purchase with existing Craters & Freighters franchisees and will supply a list of current franchisees. The FDD emphasizes that any training, support, guidance, or tools provided by Craters & Freighters are to protect the brand and assist in the operation of the franchised business, and not to control the franchisee's decisions or day-to-day operations, including hiring and employee matters.