Who can be designated or approved as suppliers for the initial and ongoing design, management, and maintenance services of the E-Commerce Platform for Apricot Lane?

According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees may only use suppliers that Apricot Lane designates or approves for the initial and ongoing design, management, and maintenance services of the E-Commerce Platform. These suppliers may include Apricot Lane or any of its affiliates.

This means that as a franchisee, you do not have the freedom to choose your own vendors for these critical e-commerce services. You are restricted to using only those suppliers that Apricot Lane has pre-approved. This gives Apricot Lane control over the quality and consistency of the E-Commerce Platform, but it may also limit your options and potentially increase your costs if the approved suppliers are more expensive than other alternatives.

It is important for prospective franchisees to inquire about the list of approved suppliers, their pricing, and the process for requesting approval of alternative suppliers. Understanding these restrictions and their potential impact on your business is crucial before investing in an Apricot Lane franchise.