To whom does the Apricot Lane franchisee assign their rights to the telephone numbers for the franchised business?

According to the 2025 Apricot Lane Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee must assign all rights, title, and interest in their telephone numbers for the franchised business to Apricot Lane or its designee. The franchisee is also responsible for notifying the telephone service provider and listing agencies about the termination or expiration of their right to use the telephone number. They must also authorize the transfer of the number and any associated directory listings to Apricot Lane or its direction. If the telephone service provider does not accept the assignment, the franchisee is obligated to cancel the telephone number and any associated listings.

This requirement ensures that Apricot Lane maintains control over the business's contact information, which is crucial for maintaining brand consistency and customer relationships. By controlling the telephone numbers, Apricot Lane can ensure that customers continue to reach the brand even after a specific franchise location closes or changes ownership. This is a standard practice in franchising, as it protects the franchisor's brand and customer base.

For a prospective Apricot Lane franchisee, this means that upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, they will lose the right to use the business's phone number. They must transfer it to Apricot Lane. This is an important consideration, as the phone number may have been used for marketing and customer communication, and losing it could impact the franchisee's ability to maintain customer relationships if they were to start a new business venture. It is essential to understand this obligation and plan accordingly when exiting the franchise system.