What is the standard initial franchise fee for an Apricot Lane franchise?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
IAL FEES**
The standard initial franchise fee is $39,500. We may provide a $5,000 reduction on the initial franchise fee to veterans of U.S. Armed Forces who meet our criteria. Currently, to qualify for the discount, the veteran must own at least 50.0% of the franchise. "Veteran" means a person who receives an honorable discharge, as evidenced by a U.S. Department of Defense Form 214 (DD-214). The franchise fee for a second and each additional franchise purchased is $20,000. Otherwise, the initial franchise fee and any subsequent fees paid for additional stores are uniform for all franchisees. During fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, we collected franchise fees ranging from $15,000 to $39,500.
If at the time you sign the Franchise Agreement no specific location has been determined for your Franchised Business, you will also sign Exhibit A to the Franchise Agreement, giving you an "open license" to establish the Franchised Business at a mutually agreed upon site in the future. In that case, you will pay us the initial franchise fee in two installments including a nonrefundable deposit of $5,000 on signing the Franchise Agreement and the balance upon the execution of the Landlord's letter of intent for a site approved by COUNTRY VISIONS (see Item 11 of this Disclosure Document for details about site selection and approval). Otherwise, the franchise fee is paid in full on signing the Franchise Agreement. The franchise fee is fully earned and non-refundable upon payment, except as expressly provided below in this Item 5.
If we determine, in our sole discretion, that you or your designated manager are unable to satisfactorily complete the training program at our headquarters, we shall have the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement, and return the initial franchise fee less expenses incurred by COUNTRY VISIONS in providing training to you and other expenses incurred by COUNTRY VISIONS, not to exceed $5,000 or as stated in other provisions of the Franchise Agreement to the contrary. To obtain the refund you must execute a full release of claims against COUNTRY VISIONS and our affiliates and return to us all confidential or proprietary information you have receive
Source: Item 5 — INITIAL FEES (FDD pages 10–11)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the standard initial franchise fee is $39,500. However, Apricot Lane may offer a $5,000 reduction on the initial franchise fee to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who meet their criteria, which includes owning at least 50% of the franchise and receiving an honorable discharge, evidenced by a U.S. Department of Defense Form 214 (DD-214). For existing franchisees purchasing a second or additional franchise, the fee is $20,000. During the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, the franchise fees collected ranged from $15,000 to $39,500.
If a specific location for the Apricot Lane franchise has not been determined when signing the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee will sign Exhibit A, which grants an "open license" to establish the franchise at a mutually agreed-upon site in the future. In this case, the initial franchise fee is paid in two installments: a nonrefundable deposit of $5,000 upon signing the Franchise Agreement and the balance upon the execution of the Landlord's letter of intent for a site approved by COUNTRY VISIONS. Otherwise, the franchise fee is paid in full upon signing the Franchise Agreement.
The franchise fee is fully earned and non-refundable upon payment, with a specific exception. If Apricot Lane determines that the franchisee or their designated manager cannot satisfactorily complete the training program at their headquarters, Apricot Lane has the right to terminate the Franchise Agreement. In such cases, Apricot Lane will return the initial franchise fee less expenses incurred in providing training and other expenses, not to exceed $5,000 or as stated in other provisions of the Franchise Agreement. To obtain this refund, the franchisee must execute a full release of claims against COUNTRY VISIONS and their affiliates and return all confidential or proprietary information received.