Under what condition can an Apricot Lane franchisee develop their own website mentioning the Franchised Business?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All advertising, marketing and promotional materials that FRANCHISEE develops for the Franchised Business must contain notices of the URL of the System Website in the manner that FRANCHISOR periodically designates. FRANCHISEE may not develop, maintain or authorize any other website, other online or digital presence or other electronic medium that mentions or describes the Franchised Business or displays any of the Marks without FRANCHISOR's prior written approval. FRANCHISEE (including any of your owners, signatories, guarantors or individuals who attended training or signed a confidentiality agreement) may not conduct commerce or directly or indirectly offer or sell any products or services using any website, another electronic means or medium, or otherwise over the Internet or in any other matter without express permission from the FRANCHISOR in writing. Any and all social media or digital presence that FRANCHISEE engages in must be pre-approved by FRANCHISOR in writing and must be in accordance with FRANCHISOR's standards that are specified from time to time. A separate agreement for these may be required.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Apricot Lane FDD, franchisees are generally restricted from creating their own websites or online presence that mentions the Apricot Lane brand or displays its marks without prior written approval from the franchisor. This restriction extends to any website, online or digital presence, or other electronic medium.
Apricot Lane requires that all advertising, marketing, and promotional materials developed by the franchisee must include the URL of the System Website, as designated by Apricot Lane periodically. This ensures that customers are directed to the official Apricot Lane online platform.
Furthermore, franchisees are prohibited from conducting commerce or selling products or services through any website or electronic means without express written permission from Apricot Lane. Any social media or digital presence the franchisee uses must be pre-approved by Apricot Lane in writing and adhere to the franchisor's standards, potentially requiring a separate agreement. This high level of control allows Apricot Lane to maintain brand consistency and manage its online presence effectively.