What must Apricot Lane franchisees include in their advertising, marketing, and promotional materials?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All advertising, marketing and promotional materials that FRANCHISEE develops for the Franchised Business must contain notices of the URL of the System Website in the manner that FRANCHISOR periodically designates. FRANCHISEE may not develop, maintain or authorize any other website, other online or digital presence or other electronic medium that mentions or describes the Franchised Business or displays any of the Marks without FRANCHISOR's prior written approval. FRANCHISEE (including any of your owners, signatories, guarantors or individuals who attended training or signed a confidentiality agreement) may not conduct commerce or directly or indirectly offer or sell any products or services using any website, another electronic means or medium, or otherwise over the Internet or in any other matter without express permission from the FRANCHISOR in writing. Any and all social media or digital presence that FRANCHISEE engages in must be pre-approved by FRANCHISOR in writing and must be in accordance with FRANCHISOR's standards that are specified from time to time. A separate agreement for these may be required.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, any advertising, marketing, and promotional materials developed by a franchisee must include notices of the URL of the System Website in a manner designated by Apricot Lane. This requirement ensures consistent branding and directs customers to the official Apricot Lane online presence.
Furthermore, franchisees are restricted from creating or maintaining any other websites, online presence, or electronic medium that mentions the franchised business or displays any of Apricot Lane's marks without prior written approval from the company. This control allows Apricot Lane to maintain brand consistency and manage its online image. Franchisees also need express written permission from Apricot Lane to conduct commerce or sell products/services online.
Any social media or digital presence that a franchisee uses must be pre-approved by Apricot Lane in writing and adhere to the company's standards, which may require a separate agreement. These stipulations highlight Apricot Lane's stringent control over its brand's representation in the digital space and the franchisee's limited autonomy in online marketing efforts. This is common in franchising to maintain a consistent brand image and customer experience across all locations.