What does Phase 1 of the Apricot Lane training program consist of?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Our training program consists of 2 phases. The first phase consists of Orientation and Phase I onboarding, which must be completed by all new franchisees at home before the second phase of training. The COUNTRY VISIONS program includes self-paced activities, Elearning, and virtual learning facilitated by the HQ team.
Phase 2 of training will be scheduled when Phase 1 is completed. The second phase includes an in-Boutique experience, and a buy at a designated market (e.g. Dallas Market), tradeshow and/or event that we designate to purchase opening inventory. We schedule this on an as-needed basis. The second phase provides the opportunity to observe, on-the-job instruction, practical application in selling skills, working with the customers and staff, and interactive computer training. Specifically, we review daily store operations, employee relations, customer service standards and sales techniques, advertising and marketing, inventory management, merchandising and display, ordering and receiving product, store pre-opening guidelines, company reporting and procedures.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 22–30)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Apricot Lane FDD, the training program consists of two phases. Phase 1 is completed by new franchisees at home and includes orientation and Phase 1 onboarding. This initial phase involves self-paced activities, e-learning, and virtual learning facilitated by the Apricot Lane headquarters team.
Phase 1 covers several topics, including business basics, product/buying, presentation/marketing & visual merchandising, people/staff/hiring, and productivity/operations, policy & procedure. The virtual, webinar, and online training hours for Phase 1 are as follows: Business Basics (4 hours), Product/Buying (40 hours), Presentation/Marketing & Visual Merchandising (40 hours), People/Staff/Hiring (25 hours), and Productivity/Operations, Policy & Procedure (6 hours). The total hours for Phase 1 amount to 131 hours.
Phase 2 of the Apricot Lane training program is scheduled after Phase 1 is completed. It includes an in-boutique experience and purchasing opening inventory at a designated market, tradeshow, or event. This phase offers practical, on-the-job instruction in selling skills, customer and staff interaction, and interactive computer training. Topics covered in Phase 2 include daily store operations, employee relations, customer service standards and sales techniques, advertising and marketing, inventory management, merchandising and display, ordering and receiving product, store pre-opening guidelines, and company reporting and procedures.