Is the Pearce Bespoke Franchisee considered an employee of the Franchisor for the purpose of requirements pertaining to withholdings?

Nothing in this Agreement may be construed to create a partnership, joint venture, agency, employment, or fiduciary relationship of any kind. None of Franchisee's employees will be considered to be Franchisor's employees. Neither Franchisee nor any of Franchisee's employees whose compensation is paid by Franchisee may in any way, directly or indirectly, expressly or by implication, be construed to be an employee of Franchisor for any purpose, most particularly with respect to any mandated or other insurance coverage, tax or contributions, or requirements pertaining to withholdings, levied, or fixed by any city, state, or federal governmental agency. Franchisor will not have the power to hire or fire Franchisee's employees and has no authority to control, either directly or indirectly, the essential terms and conditions of employment of Franchisee's employees. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that Franchisee, in Franchisee's sole and absolute discretion, shall determine all such essential terms and conditions of employment, which are defined in the Operations Manual or otherwise defined by law. Franchisee will alone exercise day-to-day control over all operations, activities, and elements of the Pearce Bespoke Franchise. Franchisee is solely responsible for the safety and well-being of Franchisee's employees and the customers of the Pearce Bespoke Franchise. All matters of safety and security are within Franchisee's discretion and control, and Franchisee's indemnification obligations set forth in Section 11 hereof shall apply to any claims made against Franchisor regarding safety or security. Franchisee acknowledges and agrees that the various requirements, prohibitions, specifications, and procedures of the Business System which Franchisee is required to comply with under this Agreement, whether set forth in the Operations Manual or otherwise, do not directly or indirectly constitute, suggest, infer, or imply that Franchisor controls any aspect or element of the day-to-day operations of the Pearce Bespoke Franchise, which Franchisee alone controls, but only constitute standards Franchisee must adhere to when exercising control of the day-to-day operations of the

Pearce Bespoke Franchise. Franchisee may not, without Franchisor's written approval, have any power to obligate Franchisor for any expense, liabilities, or other obligations, other than specifically provided in this Agreement.

Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 39)