What specifications must Apricot Lane franchisees follow for merchandise and materials, as described in Section 14?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
C. Alterations to Premises
FRANCHISEE shall make no alterations to the Premises nor shall FRANCHISEE replace or alter the equipment, fixtures, slatwall, paint colors or signs of the Franchised Business without the prior written approval by FRANCHISOR.
D. Specifications for Merchandise and Materials
FRANCHISOR may establish and modify in its sole discretion standards and specifications regarding the merchandise that may be carried and the services that may be provided from the Franchised Business, including those required and recommended vendors and the type, brand, amount and variety of merchandise to be carried. FRANCHISEE shall abide by all such requirements, standards and specifications. FRANCHISOR has the right in its sole discretion to require FRANCHISEE to discontinue offering for sale any merchandise or services or the merchandise of any vendor not specifically approved by FRANCHISOR in its sole discretion. FRANCHISOR's standards and specifications, including lists of required and recommended merchandise or vendors, may be part of the Confidential Operations Manual or provided in any other format as FRANCHISOR determines, and may be modified from time to time by FRANCHISOR. FRANCHISEE shall carry an amount of merchandise reasonably adequate to meet the needs of its customers. FRANCHISOR may also issue standards and specifications for products, materials and supplies used in the Franchised Business, including recommended vendors, types and brands of products, materials and supplies. All products, materials and supplies used in the Franchised Business must meet these standards and specifications. FRANCHISOR may limit the number of recommended suppliers with whom FRANCHISEE may deal, designate sources that FRANCHISEE must use and/or refuse any of FRANCHISEE's requests to approve a supplier or merchandise for any reason, including that FRANCHISOR has already designated an exclusive source (which might be FRANCHISOR or its affiliate) for particular merchandise, goods or services or if FRANCHISOR believes that doing so is in the best interests of the Specialty Stores network.
E. General Quality Standards
In the absence of specifications or standards for a type of merchandise, product or materials, FRANCHISEE must ensure that the merchandise, products and materials sold or used in the Franchised Business are of a high quality and consistent with the image of the Specialty Stores that FRANCHISOR wants to convey. FRANCHISOR may in its sole discretion require FRANCHISEE to discontinue offering or using any merchandise, product or materials that in its opinion are inconsistent with the foregoing requirement.
**F.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must adhere to specific standards and specifications set by the franchisor regarding merchandise and materials. Apricot Lane has the authority to establish and modify these standards, which cover the merchandise carried, services offered, recommended vendors, and the type, brand, amount, and variety of merchandise. Franchisees are obligated to follow these requirements. Apricot Lane can also require franchisees to stop selling any merchandise or services, or merchandise from unapproved vendors.
These standards and specifications, including lists of required and recommended merchandise or vendors, may be found in the Confidential Operations Manual or other formats determined by Apricot Lane, and are subject to change. Franchisees must maintain a reasonable amount of merchandise to meet customer needs. Apricot Lane also sets standards for products, materials, and supplies, including recommended vendors, types, and brands. All products, materials, and supplies used in the franchised business must meet these standards.
Apricot Lane has the right to limit the number of recommended suppliers, designate mandatory sources, and refuse approval of a supplier or merchandise for any reason. This includes situations where Apricot Lane has an exclusive source (which could be Apricot Lane itself or an affiliate) or if Apricot Lane believes it is in the best interest of the franchise network. In the absence of specific standards, franchisees must ensure that all merchandise, products, and materials are of high quality and consistent with the image Apricot Lane wants to convey.
For the E-Commerce Platform, Apricot Lane franchisees may only use suppliers designated or approved by Apricot Lane for design, management, and maintenance services. Franchisees must also adhere to development, design, marketing, sales, and operations standards outlined in the Confidential Operations Manual, including policies on quality, image, merchandise lines, digital media advertising, terms and conditions, photography, reporting, packaging, merchandise returns, and gift cards.