Can Apricot Lane require a franchisee to discontinue offering or using any merchandise inconsistent with their image?

According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must ensure that all merchandise, products, and materials sold or used in the franchised business are of high quality and consistent with Apricot Lane's image. Apricot Lane retains the discretion to require a franchisee to discontinue offering or using any merchandise, product, or materials that, in Apricot Lane's opinion, are inconsistent with this requirement. This applies if there are no specific standards addressing the particular merchandise, product, or materials the franchisee wishes to offer or use.

Apricot Lane does not currently maintain a procedure for franchisees to obtain approval of any item that is not covered by their specifications and standards or which is not on their list of approved merchandise or suppliers. This means that if a franchisee wants to sell something new or from a new supplier, there isn't a formal process to get it approved.

This policy gives Apricot Lane significant control over the products sold in its stores, ensuring brand consistency. However, it also places the onus on the franchisee to make sure that any non-approved items align with Apricot Lane's image, without a clear path for pre-approval. Prospective franchisees should seek clarification from Apricot Lane regarding the types of merchandise that would be considered inconsistent with the brand's image and the informal process, if any, for getting merchandise approved.