Are any officers of Augusta Lawn Care allowed to own an interest in any Approved Suppliers other than Augusta Lawn Care itself?
Augusta_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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, generally, the officers are not allowed to own interest in any of Augusta Lawn Care's approved suppliers other than Augusta Lawn Care itself. However, there are exceptions to this rule. As of May 2023, Augusta Lawn Care owns and operates Copilot Software LLC, which is an approved (but not required) CRM provider to its franchisees. As of January 2025, Augusta Lawn Care owns and operates Mike Andes Media Group LLC, which is an approved (but not required) media provider to its franchisees.
This means that while Augusta Lawn Care aims to maintain impartiality in its supplier relationships, it does have the option to approve affiliated companies as suppliers. As a franchisee, you may be encouraged or incentivized to use these affiliated suppliers, but are not required to do so for Copilot Software LLC or Mike Andes Media Group LLC.
It is important to note that Augusta Lawn Care reserves the right to designate itself or its affiliates as approved suppliers for any item a franchisee is required to purchase in the future. This could potentially create a conflict of interest if Augusta Lawn Care mandates the use of a supplier in which it has a financial stake. Prospective franchisees should consider this when evaluating the franchise opportunity and discuss with Augusta Lawn Care the circumstances under which affiliated suppliers might be mandated.