Is an Aplus franchisee permitted to display or sell adult magazines?
Aplus Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
You are prohibited from displaying or selling any adult/sophisticate magazines and/or any other materials that we determine are offensive to the general public or which may be prohibited from sale or display by applicable federal, state, or local laws or regulations. You are prohibited from selling marijuana of any kind (synthetic or otherwise), unauthorized drugs, drug paraphernalia of any type or nature, and "bath salts" in any form or known by any name, as further described in the Systems Manual.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD pages 52–53)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Aplus's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are expressly prohibited from displaying or selling adult magazines or any other materials that Aplus determines are offensive to the general public. This restriction also extends to materials that may be prohibited by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy ensures that all Aplus stores maintain a consistent brand image and comply with community standards and legal requirements. Aplus also reserves the right to restrict franchisees from displaying or selling other items such as periodicals, videos, drug paraphernalia, and other merchandise which may be offensive to the general public, or prohibited by applicable local laws or regulations.
For a prospective franchisee, this means they must adhere strictly to Aplus's guidelines on prohibited sales to avoid potential penalties, including termination of the franchise agreement. Franchisees should stay informed about any updates to the list of prohibited items and ensure their store's offerings align with Aplus's standards and local regulations.