Can Apricot Lane limit the number of approved suppliers with whom a franchisee may deal?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
and specifications. We may limit the number of approved suppliers with whom you may deal, designate sources that you must use and/or refuse any of your requests to approve a supplier or merchandise for any reason, including that we have already designated an exclusive source (which might be us or our affiliate) for a particular merchandise, goods or services or if we believe that doing so is in the best interests of the COUNTRY VISIONS system.
You must purchase certain specified products and services from us (or our affiliates), including software, web marketing, the gift card program, store merchandise, visual merchandise, supplies, and certain construction and improvement activities from our approved suppliers. COUNTRY VISIONS does not permit you to contract with suppliers outside of our approved suppliers.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 17–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Apricot Lane has the authority to limit the number of approved suppliers that franchisees can work with. Apricot Lane can designate specific sources that franchisees must use. Additionally, Apricot Lane can refuse a franchisee's request to approve a supplier or merchandise for any reason. This includes situations where Apricot Lane has already designated an exclusive source for particular merchandise, goods, or services, or if they believe limiting the suppliers is in the best interest of the Apricot Lane system.
Apricot Lane requires franchisees to purchase certain specified products and services from them or their affiliates. These include software, web marketing, the gift card program, store merchandise, visual merchandise, supplies, and certain construction and improvement activities from their approved suppliers. Apricot Lane does not allow franchisees to contract with suppliers outside of their approved list.
If Apricot Lane develops any proprietary items, private-label, or exclusive merchandise for the Apricot Lane brand, they can require franchisees to carry it and may be the designated supplier or designate another supplier. This gives Apricot Lane significant control over the products franchisees offer and the suppliers they use, ensuring consistency and quality across all franchise locations.