Is an Augusta Lawn Care franchisee allowed to sell their client list?

According to Augusta Lawn Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are explicitly prohibited from selling or divulging their client list. The FDD states that the client list, along with other digital assets, remains the property of Augusta Lawn Care. This restriction is common in franchise agreements to protect the brand and customer relationships.

Upon expiration or termination of the franchise agreement, an Augusta Lawn Care franchisee must transfer their client list, phone number, email address, website, Google listings, software subscriptions, and client information and contracts to Augusta Lawn Care. This ensures that Augusta Lawn Care retains control over customer relationships and can seamlessly transition clients to another franchisee or manage them directly.

The prohibition on selling the client list is a significant restriction for a franchisee. It means that the franchisee cannot independently profit from the customer base they have built during the term of the franchise. This is a standard practice in many franchise systems, as the customer relationships are considered an integral part of the brand's value and are ultimately owned by the franchisor.