Where are the franchisor's rates for assistance during opening published for an Apricot Lane franchise?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
D. FRANCHISOR Assistance During Opening
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- Prior to, and during commencement of the Franchised Business, FRANCHISOR will furnish to FRANCHISEE, at FRANCHISEE's premises and at FRANCHISEE's expense, up to two (2) of FRANCHISOR's representatives, determined in FRANCHISOR's sole discretion, for the purpose of facilitating the opening of FRANCHISEE's Franchised Business. The expense of providing this assistance is at FRANCHISOR's then-current rates published in the Confidential Operations Manual, which include travel, lodging, and a per diem charge. During this period, such representative will also assist FRANCHISEE in establishing and standardizing procedures and techniques essential to the operation of the Franchised Business and shall assist in training personnel.
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- Should FRANCHISOR deem it necessary to provide additional assistance FRANCHISEE shall reimburse FRANCHISOR for the expense of FRANCHISOR providing such additional assistance at the then-current rates published in the Confidential Operations Manual, including, but not limited to, travel, lodging and a per diem charge for FRANCHISOR and/or its representative.
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- When FRANCHISOR's representative(s) arrives at FRANCHISEE's location, the length of time he or she stays at location is strictly within the discretion of the FRANCHISOR.
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- If the location is not ready, as described in the Confidential Operations Manual, when FRANCHISOR's representative(s) arrive, FRANCHISOR reserves right to recall its representative(s) until FRANCHISOR is satisfied that the location is ready. If this is done, then FRANCHISEE agrees to pay for the costs of sending FRANCHISOR's representative(s) back to the location to help FRANCHISEE open. If flight schedules have to be changed because Franchise Location is not ready, FRANCHISEE agrees to pay any costs related to changing tickets, including ticket price variations. If the location is not ready when FRANCHISOR's representative(s) arrive, and for that reason they cannot perform the functions for which they were sent, as an alternative to recalling them, FRANCHISEE agrees to pay the added lodging and subsistence costs of the representative(s) for each day they are prevented from completing the functions for which they were sent. The decision to recall or have its representatives remain on site or extend their stay is strictly within the FRANCHISOR's discretion.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Apricot Lane Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor's rates for assistance during the opening of a franchised business are published in the Confidential Operations Manual.
Prior to and during the commencement of the Apricot Lane franchised business, the franchisor will provide up to two representatives to the franchisee's premises to facilitate the opening. The franchisee is responsible for covering the expenses of these representatives, including travel, lodging, and a per diem charge, all based on the franchisor's current rates as detailed in the Confidential Operations Manual. These representatives will also help in setting up procedures and training personnel.
If the franchisor deems it necessary to provide additional assistance, the franchisee will reimburse the franchisor for these extra expenses, again based on the rates published in the Confidential Operations Manual, covering travel, lodging, and a per diem charge for the franchisor's representatives. The length of time the representatives stay at the location is at the franchisor's discretion.
If the Apricot Lane location is not ready when the franchisor's representatives arrive, the franchisor can recall them until the location is prepared. In this case, the franchisee is responsible for the costs of sending the representatives back to the location once it is ready, including any changes to flight schedules. As an alternative to recalling them, if the representatives cannot perform their functions due to the location not being ready, the franchisee agrees to cover the added lodging and subsistence costs for each day they are unable to work. The decision to recall the representatives or extend their stay remains at the franchisor's discretion.