SONIC, Dr Pepper, Brightspot (Games Headquarters), and their respective parent, subsidiaries, and all affiliated companies, maintain no control over the personnel, equipment, or operations of any air, water, or surface carrier, bus, transportation company, hotel, restaurant, or other persons or entities furnishing services, products or accommodations as part of the trip, because all of these suppliers are independent contractors, SONIC, Dr Pepper, Brightspot, and their respective parent, subsidiaries, and all affiliated companies, shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, inconvenience or irregularity, that may be caused or contributed to (1) by any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any of these sponsors and suppliers or any of their agents, servants, employers, or independent contractors, (2) by any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, instrumentality, service, product, accommodation that is owned, operated, furnished, or otherwise used by any of these sponsors and suppliers, (3) by any wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or mission on the part of any person or entities not under the direct control of SONIC, Dr Pepper, and Brightspot, respectively, or (4) by any other cause, condition or event whatsoever beyond the direct control of Brightspot, SONIC, and Dr Pepper respectively.

During the trip, participants may have the opportunity to participate in various optional activities, such as water sports and other athletic activities, contests, excursions, and side trips. SONIC, Dr Pepper, Brightspot, and their respective parent, subsidiary, and all affiliated companies, shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity arising out of or relating to said participants.

Any Program prizes earned by any individual may be treated as taxable income upon issuance of the award and be considered direct compensation for U.S. Federal taxation purposes. Liability for U.S. Federal, state, or other taxes imposed upon an award is the responsibility of the award recipient and not the responsibility of SONIC, Dr Pepper, or the fulfillment agency. SONIC is required to report the issuance of all applicable prizes to the appropriate taxing authorities, including the Internal Revenue Service. A U.S. Federal Form 1099 reflecting Program prize value will be issued to Program participants for the calendar year in which the Program is in effect.

Each franchise organization is an independent employer and thus responsible for making its own employment-related decisions. The DR PEPPER SONIC GAMES should not be construed as SONIC or the applicable franchisor being involved in or having control over a franchise employee’s terms and conditions of employment. Franchise organizations remain solely responsible for any and all employer obligations related to their employees’ participation in the DR PEPPER SONIC GAMES.