What is the purpose of disclosing the contact information of former City Publications franchisees?
City_Publications Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Exhibit F also lists the name, city and state, and the current business telephone number (or, if unknown, the last known home telephone number) of every franchisee who had an outlet terminated, canceled, not renewed or otherwise voluntarily or involuntarily ceased to do business under the franchise agreement during our most recently completed fiscal year or who has not communicated with us within 10 weeks of the issuance date of this Disclosure Document. If you buy this franchise, your contact information may be disclosed to other buyers when you leave the franchise system.
During the last three fiscal years, we have not signed any confidentiality clauses with any current or former franchisees which would in any way restrict their ability to speak with you openly about their experience with City Publications.
Source: Item 20 — OUTLETS AND FRANCHISEE INFORMATION Systemwide Outlet Summary For years 2022 to 2024 (FDD pages 32–38)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to City Publications's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the contact information of franchisees who have left the system is disclosed to provide prospective franchisees with the opportunity to learn firsthand about the experiences of those who previously operated a City Publications franchise. Specifically, Exhibit F lists the name, city, state, and current business telephone number (or last known home telephone number) of franchisees who terminated, canceled, did not renew, or otherwise ceased business under the franchise agreement during the most recent fiscal year, or who have not communicated with City Publications within 10 weeks of the FDD's issuance date.
This disclosure allows potential City Publications franchisees to conduct their due diligence by directly contacting former franchisees to inquire about their experiences, challenges, and overall satisfaction with the franchise system. This is a valuable opportunity to gain insights that may not be readily available from City Publications itself. By speaking with former franchisees, prospective franchisees can get a more balanced and comprehensive understanding of the realities of owning and operating a City Publications franchise.
It is important to note that City Publications states that they have not signed any confidentiality clauses with current or former franchisees that would restrict their ability to speak openly about their experiences. This ensures that prospective franchisees can have open and honest conversations with former franchisees without concerns about legal restrictions on their feedback. The FDD also indicates that if a franchisee buys a City Publications franchise, their contact information may be disclosed to other buyers when they leave the franchise system, continuing the cycle of transparency and information sharing.