If Augusta Lawn Care approves a supplier, is that approval provided in writing?
Augusta_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you wish to purchase a product or service that we require you to purchase from an Approved Supplier from an alternate source, then you must obtain our prior written approval as outlined more fully in this Item. We may provide our standards and specifications for our Approved Products and Services directly to our Approved Suppliers, and may provide these standards and specifications to an alternative supplier you propose if: (i) we approve the supplier in writing as outlined more fully in this Item; and (ii) the alternative supplier agrees to sign our prescribed form of non-disclosure agreement with respect to any confidential information we disclose.
Except as provided above in this Item: (i) neither we nor any of our affiliates are an Approved Supplier for any items you are required to purchase in connection with your Franchised Business; and (ii) none of our officers own an interest in any of our Approved Suppliers other than us.
As of May 2023, we own and operate Copilot Software LLC, which is an approved (but not required) CRM provider to our franchisees. As of January 2025, we own and operate Mike Andes Media Group LLC, which is an approved (but not required) media provider to our franchisees. Other than this, neither we, nor people affiliated with us are Approved Suppliers. We reserve the right to designate us or any of our affiliates as an Approved Supplier with respect to any other item you must purchase in connection with your Franchised Business in the future.
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 17–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Augusta Lawn Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if a franchisee wishes to purchase a product or service that Augusta Lawn Care requires from an approved supplier, but wants to use an alternate source, they must obtain prior written approval from Augusta Lawn Care. Furthermore, Augusta Lawn Care may provide its standards and specifications for approved products and services to an alternative supplier if Augusta Lawn Care approves the supplier in writing. The alternative supplier must also agree to sign a non-disclosure agreement if confidential information is disclosed.
This means that while Augusta Lawn Care does not currently mandate purchases from approved suppliers, they reserve the right to do so in the future. If they do, franchisees seeking to use alternative suppliers must get written approval from Augusta Lawn Care. This ensures that Augusta Lawn Care maintains control over the quality and standards of products and services used in the franchise system, even if franchisees source them independently.
This requirement for written approval protects Augusta Lawn Care's brand standards and trade secrets. The non-disclosure agreement further safeguards confidential information shared with alternative suppliers. For a prospective franchisee, this means they need to be prepared to justify their choice of an alternative supplier and ensure that the supplier meets Augusta Lawn Care's standards and is willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement. It is also important to note that Augusta Lawn Care owns and operates Copilot Software LLC and Mike Andes Media Group LLC, which are approved (but not required) providers to franchisees.