Is the Franchisee allowed to use the Crave Cookies Marks on employment documents?
Crave_Cookies Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee will use its legal name on all documents with its employees and independent contractors, including, but not limited to, employment applications, time cards, pay checks, and employment and independent contractor agreements, and Franchisee will not use the Marks on any of these documents.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 47)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Crave Cookies's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are explicitly prohibited from using Crave Cookies's trademarks or service marks on employment-related documents. This includes, but is not limited to, employment applications, time cards, paychecks, and employment agreements. Instead, franchisees must use their legal name on all such documents. This restriction ensures that Crave Cookies maintains strict control over its brand identity and prevents any potential confusion regarding the employer's identity.
This requirement is fairly standard in franchising, as franchisors like Crave Cookies want to ensure a clear separation between the franchisee's business operations and the franchisor's brand. By mandating the use of the franchisee's legal name on employment documents, Crave Cookies avoids any implication of being a joint employer, which could lead to legal and financial liabilities. This also helps to reinforce the franchisee's independent contractor status.
For a prospective Crave Cookies franchisee, this means being diligent about using the correct legal name on all employment-related paperwork. Failure to comply with this requirement could potentially lead to a breach of the franchise agreement and possible penalties. Franchisees should ensure that their HR and payroll processes are set up to accurately reflect their legal business name, and not the Crave Cookies brand name, on all employee documentation.