Who is required to participate in the initial training program for an Apricot Lane franchise?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ncy. The Franchised Business may not open until all requisite government permits have been issued.
SECTION 6: TRAINING AND PRE-OPENING ASSISTANCE
A. Training
FRANCHISOR shall make initial training available to FRANCHISEE(s) and one (1) employee, acting as the Operating Manager or Assistant Manager of FRANCHISEE. FRANCHISEE is required to participate and successfully complete, to FRANCHISOR's satisfaction prior to opening for business, the training courses. This training may consist of (i) a self-study, computerized home training program, (ii) training at FRANCHISOR's designated facility, and (iii) participation in inventory buy events at the location FRANCHISOR designates. Said training program shall cover material aspects of the operation of the Franchised Business, including, without limitation, financial controls; general bookkeeping procedures; product procurement; retail operational techniques; marketing, promotion and advertising techniques; inventory ordering techniques; administrative procedures; maintenance procedures; deployment of labor; computer operation; product knowledge; customer service techniques; and maintenance of quality standards. All expenses incurred by FRANCHISEE and its employees in attending such program, including, without limitation, travel costs, room and board expenses, and employees' salaries shall be the sole responsibility of FRANCHISEE. As part of the initial training program, FRANCHISEE will pay directly outside vendors or sources for any outsourced training materials and/or programs that FRANCHISOR may require. The expense of these materials and/or programs shall not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000).
B. Training of Designated Manager(s)
If FRANCHISEE designates new or additional managers after the completion of the initial training program, FRANCHISOR shall provide training to such managers to the extent that FRANCHISOR can reasonably accommodate such managers in FRANCHISOR's regularly scheduled training course. Otherwise, FRANCHISOR is not obligated to provide the initial training program to FRANCHISEE's managers. FRANCHISOR may charge FRANCHISEE for training such additional managers at the then-current rates published by FRANCHISOR in the Confidential Operations Manual. Prior to the start of such training, FRANCHISEE shall cause its new and/or additional managers to sign a Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement in a form FRANCHISOR approves. FRANCHISEE shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by FRANCHISEE or FRANCHISEE's employees in attending such additional training including, without limitation, travel costs, room and board expenses and employees' salaries.
C. Failure to Complete Training
FRANCHISEE or FRANCHISEE's designated manager must complete the initial training to FRANCHISOR's satisfaction as determined in FRANCHISOR's sole discretion. If this obligation is not fulfilled, FRANCHISOR may terminate this Agreement in the manner herein provided, and at FRANCHISOR's election, assume the lease for the Franchised Premises and/or purchase all furniture, fixtures and other assets of the Franchised Business at cost, as agreed upon by the parties. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Paragraph, FRANCHISOR shall return to FRANCHISEE the franchise fees paid by FRANCHISEE to FRANCHISOR minus the expenses incurred by FRANCHISOR in connection with this Agreement and its performance hereunder not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000);
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisee and one employee, acting as the Operating Manager or Assistant Manager, are required to participate in the initial training program. The franchisee must successfully complete the training to Apricot Lane's satisfaction before opening the business.
The initial training program may include a self-study, computerized home training program, training at Apricot Lane's designated facility, and participation in inventory buy events at a location Apricot Lane designates. The training covers material aspects of operating the franchised business, including financial controls, bookkeeping, product procurement, retail operations, marketing, inventory ordering, administrative procedures, maintenance, labor deployment, computer operation, product knowledge, customer service, and quality standards.
The franchisee is responsible for all expenses incurred by themselves and their employees during training, including travel, room and board, and salaries. The franchisee will also pay outside vendors directly for any outsourced training materials or programs that Apricot Lane requires, with these expenses not exceeding $1,000. If a franchisee designates new or additional managers after completing the initial training, Apricot Lane may provide training to those managers if they can reasonably accommodate them in their regularly scheduled training course. Apricot Lane may charge the franchisee for this additional training at their then-current rates.
Failure to complete the initial training to Apricot Lane's satisfaction may result in the termination of the Franchise Agreement. In such cases, Apricot Lane may assume the lease for the franchised premises and/or purchase the business's assets at cost. If the agreement is terminated due to failure to complete training, Apricot Lane will return the franchise fees paid, minus expenses incurred by Apricot Lane, not exceeding $5,000, after the franchisee signs a general release of claims and returns all proprietary materials and confidential information.