Does Augusta Lawn Care have the right to change the required software for Augusta Lawn Care franchisees?
Augusta_Lawn_Care Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Computer System
You must purchase the computer system that we specify, including computer hardware, software, point of sale system, inventory control systems, and high-speed network connections (collectively, the "Computer System"). The component parts of the Computer System must be purchased from Approved Suppliers. If we require you to use any proprietary software or to purchase any software from a designated vendor, you must sign any software license agreements that we or the licensor of the software require and any related software maintenance agreements. Currently, we require you to utilize the Command Center Services, at costs described herein in Item 6 per month. Additionally, you are recommended to use Copilot CRM software created and owned by our Affiliate Copilot Software LLC at costs of $250.00 per month; however, there is no additional cost currently associated with the software. The Computer System is described in more detail in Item 11 of this Disc
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 17–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Augusta Lawn Care Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must purchase the computer system that Augusta Lawn Care specifies, including hardware, software, point of sale systems, inventory control systems, and high-speed network connections. These components must be purchased from Approved Suppliers. If Augusta Lawn Care requires franchisees to use proprietary software or purchase software from a designated vendor, franchisees must sign any software license agreements or related software maintenance agreements. Currently, franchisees are required to utilize Command Center Services, at costs described in Item 6 per month.
Augusta Lawn Care also recommends the use of Copilot CRM software, created and owned by their affiliate Copilot Software LLC, at a cost of $250.00 per month; however, there is no additional cost currently associated with the software.
Item 8 indicates that Augusta Lawn Care has the right to modify the list of Approved Suppliers as they deem appropriate. While the FDD does not explicitly state that Augusta Lawn Care can change the required software, the fact that they can modify the list of approved suppliers and that the computer system (including software) must be purchased from approved suppliers, implies that they can change the required software by changing the approved supplier. Prospective franchisees should seek clarification from Augusta Lawn Care regarding their ability to change software requirements and the potential costs associated with such changes.