Does the Craters & Freighters Franchise Agreement address the franchisee's status as an independent contractor?

According to the 2025 Craters & Freighters Franchise Disclosure Document, the agreement does not explicitly define the franchisee's status as an independent contractor. However, it does state that Craters & Freighters has the right to delegate the performance of any portion of its obligations and duties to third parties, whether such third parties are agents or independent contractors. This implies that while the franchisee is not directly defined as an independent contractor, Craters & Freighters reserves the right to use independent contractors for certain services.

This delegation clause means that Craters & Freighters can contract with other parties to fulfill some of its responsibilities under the franchise agreement. This could include services like marketing, software support, or other operational tasks. The franchisee agrees in advance to any such delegation by Craters & Freighters.

While the FDD does not explicitly state that franchisees are independent contractors, prospective franchisees should seek clarification from Craters & Freighters regarding their status and the implications of the delegation clause. Understanding the relationship between the franchisee, Craters & Freighters, and any third-party contractors is crucial for managing expectations and responsibilities within the franchise system.