Can Augusta Lawn Care limit the number of potential suppliers considered for approval?
Augusta_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ve work and time, and are considered confidential information. Therefore, we do not make our standards and specifications or our other criteria for supplier or distributor approval available to you or suppliers.
- (d) Modifications. We may modify our specifications and standards for any item or revoke our approval of any supplier or distributor who fails to adhere to our quality standards or other requirements. We may limit the number of potential suppliers that we consider for approval and, for some categories of products, we may designate a third-party or ourselves as an exclusive supplier.
- NEITHER AUGUSTA LAWN CARE, ITS PARENTS OR AFFILIATES, MAKE ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES REGARDING ANY ITEM OR SERVICE, AND AUGUSTA LAWN CARE AND ITS AFFILIATES EXCLUDE (AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM) ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, except as set forth in a particular written warranty, if any, provided in connection with a particular item or service.
- (e) Further Restrictions. You shall not offer or sell any product, item or service we have not designated or expressly approved in writing without our prior written consent, which may be granted or withheld in our sole and absolute discretion. We reserve the right to sell products and services to you for a profit.
- (f) Purchasing Programs, Promotional Programs. We may establish national or regional purchasing programs for the purpose of negotiating purchases of certain products and/or services from approved or designated suppliers.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 44–184)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Augusta Lawn Care's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Augusta Lawn Care has the right to limit the number of potential suppliers that franchisees can consider for approval. Augusta Lawn Care may also designate a third party or themselves as the exclusive supplier for certain product categories. This means that franchisees may not have the freedom to choose their own suppliers and must adhere to Augusta Lawn Care's approved vendors.
Augusta Lawn Care also reserves the right to act as the only approved supplier for some or all of the Approved Products and Services and products franchisees will purchase for their Augusta Lawn Care Business. Augusta Lawn Care also reserves the right to charge a mark-up on any product or service sold to the franchisee. Augusta Lawn Care may receive compensation from approved suppliers for allowing them to deal with franchisees. Franchisees assign to Augusta Lawn Care all rights to manufacturing allowances, marketing allowances, rebates, credits, monies, payments, or benefits offered by suppliers based upon the franchisee's purchases.
These stipulations give Augusta Lawn Care significant control over the supply chain and product sourcing for its franchisees. While this may ensure quality control and consistency across the brand, it also limits the franchisee's ability to negotiate prices or find alternative suppliers, potentially impacting their profit margins. Augusta Lawn Care can also revoke approval of particular items, services, products or suppliers if Augusta Lawn Care determines, in its sole and absolute discretion. Upon receipt of notice of such revocation, franchisees must cease to offer, sell or use any disapproved item, products or services and immediately cease purchasing from any disapproved supplier.
Prospective franchisees should carefully consider these restrictions and evaluate how they might affect their business operations and profitability. It would be prudent to discuss supplier arrangements, pricing, and the process for supplier approval with existing franchisees during their due diligence to gain a better understanding of the practical implications.