Under what conditions can an Apricot Lane franchisee relocate their franchised business?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You may operate the Franchised Business only at the location specified in the Franchise Agreement unless we agree otherwise. If applicable, you may operate any temporary, seasonal, kiosk, cart or other adjunct operation only from a location approved by COUNTRY VISIONS. You also may not sell APRICOT LANE Store merchandise through any other distribution channel without our prior written approval.
You may relocate your Franchised Business at your sole expense within your Territory, but only with our prior written consent. COUNTRY VISIONS shall have the right to charge you for any costs incurred by us, and a reasonable fee for our services, in any relocation of the Franchised Business. If your lease expires or terminates and you are not at fault, or the site is destroyed, condemned or in any manner made unusable, if you are unwilling or unable to relocate the Franchised Business, COUNTRY VISIONS is not required to refund any fees or costs paid to COUNTRY VISIONS.
If you relocate the Franchised Business, you will conform the new store location to COUNTRY VISIONS' then-current standards for store design; close the old location at the same time you open the new location; and remove and obliterate any visible signs, graphics and advertising materials displaying any of our names, Marks and slogans. These changes must be completed within 7 business days of the opening of the new location.
Source: Item 12 — TERRITORY (FDD pages 30–32)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Apricot Lane's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee may relocate their franchised business within their territory, but only with Apricot Lane's prior written consent. Apricot Lane has the right to charge the franchisee for any costs they incur, plus a reasonable fee for their services, related to the relocation.
Several conditions apply to the relocation. The franchisee is responsible for all expenses associated with the relocation. The new store location must conform to Apricot Lane's then-current standards for store design. The franchisee must close the old location at the same time the new location opens. Within 7 business days of opening the new location, the franchisee must remove and obliterate all visible signs, graphics, and advertising materials displaying Apricot Lane's names, marks, and slogans from the old location.
It is important to note that if the franchisee's lease expires or terminates through no fault of their own, or if the site is destroyed, condemned, or made unusable, Apricot Lane is not required to refund any fees or costs paid to them if the franchisee is unwilling or unable to relocate the franchised business. This highlights the importance of carefully considering lease terms and potential site risks before signing the Franchise Agreement.