Does the addendum to the Focus Cfo Franchise Agreement apply if the franchisee is a resident of Maryland?

According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, the Maryland notice within the addendum applies specifically to franchisees who are residents of Maryland or who intend to locate their Focus Cfo franchise within the state of Maryland. This indicates that if a franchisee is a resident of Maryland, the addendum to the Franchise Agreement would indeed apply to them.

The addendum includes specific modifications and clarifications to the standard Franchise Agreement to ensure compliance with the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law. These modifications cover aspects such as governing law, jurisdiction, limitation of claims, releases, and deferral of initial fees. For instance, franchisees may bring lawsuits in Maryland for claims arising under the Maryland Franchise Registration and Disclosure Law, and any claims under this law must be brought within three years.

Furthermore, the addendum addresses the enforceability of certain provisions in the standard agreement under Maryland law. For example, provisions requiring lawsuits to be filed in Ohio or imposing limitations periods of less than three years may not be enforceable in Maryland. Additionally, the Maryland Securities Commissioner requires a financial assurance due to the franchisor's financial condition, leading to a deferral of initial fees until Focus Cfo completes its pre-opening obligations. Therefore, prospective Focus Cfo franchisees in Maryland should carefully review the addendum to understand their rights and obligations under Maryland law.