Can the Apricot Lane franchisor be the administrator of the franchisee's E-Commerce Platform?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee agrees that Franchisor, for and on behalf of Franchisee, may at its option (but shall not be required to) enter into the Provider's Contracts for Franchisee's E-Commerce Platform and to be the administrator thereof and have complete and unrestricted access thereto. In connection with such Franchisor-arranged E-Commerce Platform: (i) Franchisee shall remit to Franchisor (or, at Franchisor's direction, remit directly to the Provider) all fees, costs, expenses and reimbursements required to be paid to the Provider; and (ii) Franchisee shall comply with all terms and conditions of the Provider's Contracts and all mandatory policies issued by Franchisor or Provider in connection therewith.
Franchisee shall procure and maintain in accordance with Section 10 such insurance policies in connection with the E-Commerce Platform as Franchisor may require from time to time and shall indemnify Franchisor, in accordance with Section 21C, for any liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by Franchisor in connection with the E-Commerce Platform, including any liability, obligation or expense arising under the Provider Contracts.
Franchisee may use only such suppliers (which may include Franchisor or any of its Affiliates) as Franchisor may designate or approve from time to time for initial and ongoing design, management and maintenance services of the E-Commerce Platform.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Apricot Lane Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor has the option to administer the franchisee's E-Commerce Platform. Specifically, Apricot Lane may enter into contracts with the Provider on behalf of the franchisee and act as the administrator with complete access. However, this is not a requirement, but rather an option that Apricot Lane may choose to exercise.
If Apricot Lane chooses to administer the E-Commerce Platform, the franchisee is obligated to remit all fees, costs, expenses, and reimbursements required by the Provider to Apricot Lane or directly to the Provider, as directed by Apricot Lane. The franchisee must also comply with all terms and conditions of the Provider's Contracts and any mandatory policies issued by either Apricot Lane or the Provider related to the E-Commerce Platform.
Furthermore, the franchisee is required to maintain insurance policies related to the E-Commerce Platform as required by Apricot Lane and must indemnify Apricot Lane for any liabilities, obligations, and expenses incurred by Apricot Lane in connection with the E-Commerce Platform, including those arising under the Provider Contracts. The franchisee is limited to using only suppliers designated or approved by Apricot Lane for the design, management, and maintenance of the E-Commerce Platform.