Can customers within a Craters & Freighters franchisee's territory choose any Craters & Freighters outlet?

According to Craters & Freighters' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, customers residing or operating within a franchisee's territory have the freedom to choose any Craters & Freighters outlet they believe will best serve their needs. This means that a franchisee's territory is not exclusive in the sense that it prevents customers within that territory from using other Craters & Freighters locations.

This policy could impact a franchisee's business, as customers within their territory might opt to use a different Craters & Freighters outlet, potentially one located outside of the franchisee's designated area. The FDD also states that advertising promotions conducted by third parties upon request by Craters & Freighters may inadvertently refer customers residing or operating within the Territory to a Craters & Freighters outlet outside of the Territory.

Despite this, the franchisee is expected to devote their best efforts to attracting and serving customers within their territory and is generally restricted from actively soliciting business outside of it, unless approved by Craters & Freighters. This arrangement balances the franchisee's responsibility to focus on their territory with the customer's right to choose their preferred service provider within the Craters & Freighters system.

The agreement also mentions that Craters & Freighters or its affiliates may market on behalf of the system within the franchisee's territory, which could further influence customer choices. Franchisees are required to follow Craters & Freighters' policies on marketing outside their territory and cooperate with neighboring franchisees, as detailed in the Operations Manuals.