Can Augusta Lawn Care require an Augusta Lawn Care franchisee to purchase furnishings from approved suppliers?
Augusta_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
(a) Approved Suppliers. We have the absolute right to limit the suppliers with whom you may deal. We may require you to purchase certain items, products, services, signs, furnishings, supplies, fixtures and equipment from us or distributors we have approved. Unless we specify otherwise in writing, you may be required to purchase all goods, items, products, equipment and services required for the development and operation of the Business from our approved or designated suppliers. We have the right to designate one supplier for any given item or service. We may provide you with a list of suppliers, which list may change over time. While the suppliers included on this list may be mandated, approved and/or recommended, we reserve the right to change this list, from time-to-time, in our sole discretion. Notifications of changes to the approved suppliers list will be communicated to you through changes to the Manual or other written communications, including via electronic
mail. We may revoke approval of suppliers in our sole and absolute discretion, at any time, upon written notice. We may become an approved supplier, and/or the only supplier, for any item, product, good and/or service at any time. We reserve the right to own an interest in any entity that will act as an approved supplier for any or all products and services You will use, offer and/or sell in the Augusta Lawn Care Business.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 44–184)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Augusta Lawn Care Franchise Disclosure Document, Augusta Lawn Care has the authority to mandate that franchisees procure furnishings from specific, approved suppliers. Augusta Lawn Care retains the absolute right to limit the suppliers with whom a franchisee may conduct business. This extends to requiring franchisees to purchase certain items, products, services, signs, furnishings, supplies, fixtures, and equipment either directly from Augusta Lawn Care or from distributors that Augusta Lawn Care has officially approved.
Unless otherwise specified in writing by Augusta Lawn Care, franchisees may be obligated to acquire all goods, items, products, equipment, and services necessary for the development and operation of their Augusta Lawn Care business from these approved or designated suppliers. Augusta Lawn Care also reserves the right to designate a single, exclusive supplier for any particular item or service required for the business.
Augusta Lawn Care may provide franchisees with a list of approved suppliers, which is subject to change at any time at Augusta Lawn Care's discretion. Notifications regarding changes to the approved suppliers list will be communicated through updates to the Manual or via other written communications, including electronic mail. Augusta Lawn Care also retains the right to revoke approval of any supplier at any time, with written notice. Furthermore, Augusta Lawn Care may become an approved supplier, or even the sole supplier, for any item, product, good, or service used within the Augusta Lawn Care business. Augusta Lawn Care also reserves the right to own an interest in any entity that acts as an approved supplier for any or all products and services used, offered, or sold in the Augusta Lawn Care Business.