What is the name of the agreement that owners must sign to guarantee obligations for an Apricot Lane franchise?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To simplify the language in this Disclosure Document, we will use certain shorthand terms to identify parties. The terms "COUNTRY VISIONS", "we", "us", or "our" means COUNTRY VISIONS, INC., the franchisor. "You" means the person (or owners), individually and collectively, who buy the franchise, or if you are a corporation or partnership, it means the owners who are responsible, under their guarantee, for performance by the franchisee of all its obligations. We do business under the name "APRICOT LANE". All of our franchises operate under the name "APRICOT LANE". Our agents for service of process are listed in Exhibit D to this Disclosure Document.
On January 2, 1996, the franchisor was incorporated as COUNTRY VISIONS, Inc., a California corporation. Since August 2022, our principal business address is 1339 Oliver Road, Suite A, Fairfield, California 94534. Before August 2022, our principal business address was 3333 Vaca Valley Parkway, Suite 700, Vacaville, California 95688. We have no predecessors or parent companies.
COUNTRY VISIONS offers franchises for the establishment, development and operation of retail facilities called APRICOT LANE Stores (the "Stores") that sell fashion apparel and accessories, bath and body products, decor, gifts, candles, and jewelry.
Franchisees use our formats, procedures, methods and techniques collectively called the "System" which we may change, improve and further develop in our discretion. The System includes various manuals, collectively referred to herein as the "Confidential Operations Manual". Franchises operate under the mark "APRICOT LANE" and other trademarks, service marks, logos and commercial symbols authorized by COUNTRY VISIONS, (collectively the "Marks"). The business of operating the Store is sometimes called the "Franchised Business" in this Disclosure Document.
Franchises are offered under the terms of our Franchise Agreement (the "Franchise Agreement") a copy of which is attached to this Disclosure Document as Exhibit B. The Stores operate within a specific area (the "Territory") from a location approved by COUNTRY VISIONS and specified in the Franchise Agreement. The Stores are usually located in lifestyle strip centers, value retail centers, regional malls, neighborhood centers and other locations.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 34–35)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Apricot Lane FDD, if you are a corporation or partnership, the owners are responsible, under their guarantee, for the performance of the franchisee's obligations. The document refers to this guarantee as the "Guaranty and Assumption of Franchisee's Obligations form".
This means that even if the franchise is owned by a business entity, the individuals behind that entity must personally guarantee that the franchise will meet all of its financial and operational obligations to Apricot Lane. This is a common practice in franchising, as it provides the franchisor with an additional layer of security and ensures that there is a responsible party who is personally invested in the success of the franchise.
Prospective Apricot Lane franchisees should carefully review the Guaranty and Assumption of Franchisee's Obligations form with their legal and financial advisors to fully understand the extent of their personal liability. They should also consider the implications of this guarantee for their personal assets and financial planning.