What policies, procedures, methods, and techniques must a Craters & Freighters franchisee follow?
Craters_Freighters Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
rent daily rate and will reimburse Franchisor for the out-of-pocket expenses it incurred in providing such training including, but not limited to all travel and living expenses.
- 5.2 Operations Manuals. So long as Franchisor is in compliance with all terms and conditions of this Agreement, Franchisor will provide Franchisee with access to Franchisor's proprietary and confidential operations manuals ("Operations Manuals"), which will include all manuals, written materials, directives, books, pamphlets, bulletins, memoranda, order forms, packing slips, invoices, letters, e-mail, internet or intranet data, or other publications, documents, software programs, transmittances or communications, in whatever form (including electronic form) prepared by or on behalf of Franchisor for use by the System franchisees generally or for Franchisee in particular, containing information, methods, standards, operating procedures, requirements, instructions, information about (and processes involving) approved suppliers, and/or policies relating to the operation of a Craters & Freighters franchised business, as they may be added to, deleted, or otherwise amended by Franchisor from time to time. Franchisee acknowledges that Franchisor will have the right to delegate the performance of any portion of its obligations and duties hereunder to third parties from time to time, whether such third parties are agents of Franchisor or independent contractors, which Franchisor has contracted with to provide such services. Franchisee agrees in advance to any such delegation by Franchisor of any portion or all of its obligations and duties hereunder.
- 5.3 Promotional Support for Opening. Franchisor will provide Franchisee with promotional support for the opening of the Franchised Business.
- 5.4 Proprietary Software and Other Software. Franchisor will develop, maintain, and grant Franchisee the right to use Franchisor's proprietary operating software ("Proprietary Software"). The Proprietary Software will be the central platform the Franchised Business uses to process customer jobs from start to finish with consistency, efficiency, and accuracy. Additionally, all royalty reports submitted by the Franchised Business will be managed exclusively through the Proprietary Software, which is also designed to assist Franchisee in streamlining operations and complying with Franchisor's standards. Franchisor will also require Franchisee to use select software, as solely determined by Franchisor.
- 5.5 Email Account(s). As partial consideration for Franchisee's payment of the Technology Fee, Franchisor will establish up to seven (7) email accounts for Franchisee to use exclusively in connection with the Franchised Business. In the event Franchisee requests any additional email accounts, Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisee will pay Franchisor's then-current rate for such email account(s), and such amount will be added to the amount of the Technology Fee paid by Franchisee.
- 5.6 Franchisee Geosite. Franchisor will establish and maintain a stand-alone website for Franchisee ("Franchisee Geosite"), which is separate and apart from Franchisor's website. Such Franchisee Geosite will include the contact information for the Franchised Business and various customer-oriented functions relating to products and services offered by the Franchised Business.
Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisor will own and control the domain, design, layout, and content associated with such Franchisee Geosite. Franchisee may propose content to appear on such Franchisee Geosite, but all such content will be subject to the review and approval of Franchisor.
- 5.7 Post-Opening On-Site Visit. At any point during the first ninety (90) days of Franchisee's operation of the Franchised Business (i.e., after the Franchised Business has opened to the public), Franchisor's personnel or designee may, upon request from Franchisee, conduct an onsite visit for three (3) business days with Franchisee at the Premises to provide Franchisee with postopening support and assistance in the operation of the Franchised Business. There will be no charge to Franchisee for any such on-site visit.
- 5.8 Additional On-Site Visits. At any point during the first year of Franchisee's operation of the Franchised Business, upon request by Franchisee, Franchisor will conduct one (1) additional on-site visit for three (3) business days at no charge to Franchisee. Thereafter, Franchisor will provide Franchisee with on-site visits upon reasonable request by Franchisee or in the event Franchisor solely determines that an on-site visit is necessary. In either scenario, Franchisee must pay all of Franchisor's travel and living expenses for such on-site visit(s) plus Franchisor's thencurrent daily per-diem fee as set forth in the Operations Manuals.
- 5.9 Ongoing Support.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD page 36)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Craters & Freighters FDD, franchisees must adhere to specific operational standards and guidelines. Craters & Freighters provides franchisees with access to its proprietary and confidential operations manuals, which contain information, methods, standards, operating procedures, requirements, instructions, and policies relating to the operation of the franchised business. These manuals may be updated or amended by Craters & Freighters. Franchisees must exclusively sell the products and services outlined in the Operations Manuals. Craters & Freighters also offers guidance in determining the prices franchisees charge for their services or products. Franchisees are required to use Craters & Freighters' proprietary operating software to process customer jobs and manage royalty reports. Franchisees must also use select software as determined by Craters & Freighters.
Craters & Freighters requires franchisees to manage and operate their businesses ethically and honorably, ensuring courteous and professional service to customers while protecting the goodwill of the Craters & Freighters brand. Franchisees must handle customer complaints and requests in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and Craters & Freighters' standards. Franchisees are expected to work cooperatively with other Craters & Freighters franchisees. Franchisees must ensure that any signage used on buildings, trucks, or billboards displays the Craters & Freighters logo in compliance with the franchisor's brand identity standards.
To ensure consistent standards and updated knowledge, Craters & Freighters mandates ongoing training. Franchisee managers must attend periodic courses or training meetings regarding new methods, techniques, equipment, services, and procedures. Franchisee owners or their designees must attend Craters & Freighters' annual franchisee convention and regional meetings. Franchisees are responsible for all travel and living expenses associated with these training events. Compliance with these policies, procedures, methods, and techniques is essential for maintaining the integrity of the Craters & Freighters brand and ensuring a consistent customer experience across all franchise locations.