How many company-owned Apricot Lane outlets were in operation at the end of 2024?

According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, at the end of 2024, there were zero company-owned outlets in operation. The provided table, which details the status of both franchised and company-owned outlets, indicates that the number of company-owned Apricot Lane stores remained at zero for the entire three-year period from 2022 through 2024. This means that Apricot Lane focuses exclusively on franchising as its method of expansion and does not operate any stores directly.

For a prospective franchisee, this information suggests that Apricot Lane's business model is heavily reliant on its franchisees. The franchisor's revenue is likely derived from franchise fees, royalties, and potentially the sale of goods or services to franchisees, rather than direct retail sales through company-owned stores. This can be a positive sign, as it aligns the franchisor's success with the success of its franchisees.

However, it also means that potential franchisees cannot assess the performance of company-owned stores as a benchmark. Instead, they must rely on the performance data of other franchised locations and the overall support and training provided by Apricot Lane to gauge the potential profitability and success of their own franchise. It is important for prospective franchisees to carefully review the financial performance representations in Item 19 of the FDD and speak with existing franchisees to understand their experiences and financial outcomes. Additionally, the document indicates that Apricot Lane anticipates opening one new company-owned store in California during the next fiscal year, 2025.