What is the scope of Apricot Lane's review of a franchisee's construction and remodeling plans?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You are responsible for developing the Store at your expense. It is your responsibility to prepare all required construction and remodeling plans and specifications in accordance with applicable law. You must submit all construction and remodeling plans and specifications to us for any approval before beginning build-out. Our review is limited to ensuring your compliance with design requirements. Our review is not designed to assess compliance with laws or regulations as such compliance is your responsibility.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 17–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are responsible for developing their store at their own expense, including preparing all required construction and remodeling plans and specifications in accordance with applicable law. Before beginning any build-out, franchisees must submit these plans to Apricot Lane for approval. However, Apricot Lane's review is limited to ensuring compliance with the company's design requirements.
This means that while Apricot Lane checks that the plans align with their brand's aesthetic and layout standards, the responsibility for meeting all legal and regulatory requirements falls solely on the franchisee. Apricot Lane's review is not designed to assess compliance with laws or regulations.
For a prospective Apricot Lane franchisee, this highlights the importance of working with qualified professionals, such as architects and contractors, who are knowledgeable about local building codes and regulations. Franchisees should not rely on Apricot Lane's approval as a guarantee of legal compliance; instead, they must independently verify that their construction and remodeling plans meet all applicable requirements.