Who owns and controls the COUNTRY VISIONS intranet that Apricot Lane franchisees use?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you use our specified computer system, we will have independent remote access to your system and the information stored in it. COUNTRY VISIONS owns and controls the COUNTRY VISIONS intranet and will have independent access to all communications made via that intranet.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, COUNTRY VISIONS owns and controls the COUNTRY VISIONS intranet. The document specifies that if franchisees use the specified computer system, COUNTRY VISIONS will have independent remote access to the system and the information stored within it.
This means that Apricot Lane franchisees are required to use a computer system that allows COUNTRY VISIONS to access their data and communications. This access is facilitated through the COUNTRY VISIONS intranet, which is fully owned and controlled by COUNTRY VISIONS.
For a prospective franchisee, this highlights the importance of understanding the data privacy and security implications of using the mandated computer system. Franchisees should also consider the potential for COUNTRY VISIONS to monitor their business operations through the intranet and the data collected.