Does Apricot Lane currently maintain a procedure for franchisees to obtain approval of items not on the approved merchandise list?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must purchase certain specified products and services from us (or our affiliates), including software, web marketing, the gift card program, store merchandise, visual merchandise, supplies, and certain construction and improvement activities from our approved suppliers. COUNTRY VISIONS does not permit you to contract with suppliers outside of our approved suppliers.
If there are no specifications or standards addressing the particular merchandise, product or materials you wish to offer or use, you must nevertheless ensure that all merchandise, products and materials sold or used in the Franchised Business are of a high quality and consistent with our image. We may in our sole discretion require you to discontinue offering or using any merchandise, product or materials that in our opinion are inconsistent with this requirement. We do not currently maintain any procedure for you to obtain our approval of any item that is not covered by our specifications and standards or which is not on our list of approved merchandise or suppliers.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 17–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Apricot Lane does not currently maintain a procedure for franchisees to obtain approval of items that are not covered by their specifications and standards or which are not on their list of approved merchandise or suppliers. However, if there are no specifications or standards addressing the particular merchandise, product or materials a franchisee wishes to offer or use, the franchisee must ensure that all merchandise, products and materials sold or used in the Franchised Business are of a high quality and consistent with Apricot Lane's image. Apricot Lane may, in its sole discretion, require a franchisee to discontinue offering or using any merchandise, product or materials that in their opinion are inconsistent with this requirement.
This means that while franchisees are generally restricted to purchasing from approved suppliers, they do have some leeway to source items not specifically listed, provided they meet Apricot Lane's quality and image standards. However, Apricot Lane retains the right to demand that a franchisee stop selling any such item if they deem it unsuitable. This policy gives Apricot Lane significant control over the merchandise sold in its stores, ensuring brand consistency.
Prospective franchisees should be aware that while they can propose new items, Apricot Lane's approval is not guaranteed, and they could be forced to remove items they have already invested in. This highlights the importance of carefully selecting merchandise that aligns with Apricot Lane's established brand and target market. Franchisees should discuss with Apricot Lane what recourse they have if they are forced to discontinue selling merchandise that Apricot Lane initially approved.