Upon termination or expiration of the Apricot Lane franchise agreement, what happens to all rights granted to the franchisee?
Apricot_Lane Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
all survive any such termination or expiration:
A. Discontinue Use of Name and Marks
FRANCHISEE shall immediately cease and forever refrain from any use of the Designated Mark(s) or any of the Marks or any names or marks confusingly similar thereto. FRANCHISEE shall at its own expense discontinue using any and all items bearing any of the Marks.
B. Cessation of Operation
FRANCHISEE shall immediately cease to operate the Specialty Store franchised under this Agreement, and shall not thereafter, directly or indirectly, represent to the public or hold itself out as a present or former FRANCHISEE of FRANCHISOR.
C. Assignment of Lease on Demand
Upon written notice of intent to take possession of the interest in any lease then in effect for the Premises (whether in default or terminated) by FRANCHISOR, FRANCHISEE shall not
enter into further agreements with Lessor without the express written permission of the FRANCHISOR. Upon demand by FRANCHISOR, at FRANCHISOR's discretion, FRANCHISEE shall assign to FRANCHISOR or its designee FRANCHISEE's interest in any lease then in effect for the Premises by executing such documents as are reasonably necessary to effect such assignment as may be required by FRANCHISOR and/or the of the Premises.
D. Cease Using System, Advertising and Promotions Materials
FRANCHISEE will immediately and permanently cease to utilize any of the distinguishing characteristics of the franchise System including, without limitation, distinctive interior and exterior layout, decor and color scheme; exclusively designed signage, decorations, furnishings and materials, the Confidential Operations Manual, any and all product lines bearing the Marks, the proprietary software package, methods and techniques for displaying and promoting gift items, special techniques for packaging, display, merchandising and marketing of products, storage procedures and techniques, procedures for maintenance;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 51–222)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Apricot Lane Franchise Disclosure Document, upon termination or expiration of the franchise agreement, the franchisee must immediately cease operating the Apricot Lane store and cannot represent themselves as a current or former franchisee. The franchisee is also required to stop using any of the distinguishing characteristics of the Apricot Lane franchise system. This includes the store's layout, decor, signage, the operations manual, product lines, software, and methods for merchandising, packaging, and marketing.
Specifically, the franchisee must discontinue use of techniques for displaying and promoting items, storage procedures, maintenance, vendor names, customer data, retail business methods, and techniques for inventory and cost controls, record keeping, personnel management, purchasing, marketing, sales promotion, and advertising.
Additionally, the franchisee must take action to cancel or assign to Apricot Lane any assumed name rights or equivalent registrations filed with authorities that contain the Apricot Lane mark or names associated with the system. Evidence of compliance with this obligation must be provided to Apricot Lane within 30 days after termination or expiration of the agreement.