How does the assistance provided by Focus Cfo before opening (Item 11) relate to the franchisee's pre-opening purchases/leases obligations (Item 9)?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ovide you with any assistance.**
Pre-Operating Assistance
Before you commence operating your business, we will:
-
- Within two (2) business days of signing the Franchise Agreement and your payment of the Franchise Fee, we will provide you with full access to Focus CFO's Playbook. The Playbook contains mandatory specifications, standards and operating procedures, and rules that we periodically prescribe for Franchisees as well as continually updated best practice and resource centers. (Franchise Agreement, Section 7.1).
-
- We will provide you with initial training which consists of completing the required sections of the Playbook. This initial training is to be completed within two (2) weeks of signing the Franchise Agreement. You will not be authorized to participate in group marketing activities or any meetings with current or potential Focus CFO clients until this initial training is completed. The initial training program is mandatory and must be completed to our satisfaction. (Franchise Agreement, Section 7.1.1).
-
- We will provide approval to begin participating in marketing and development opportunities and/or provide services to Focus CFO clients within one to four weeks after signing the Franchise Agreement. The factors that may affect this time are: your background check; whether you currently own the office equipment and supplies necessary to conduct business; and how quickly you can develop your client base. Becoming a Franchisee does not guarantee Franchisees will be able to develop a book of business. While we provide access to training and various other programs to support our Franchisees, the development of an area is contingent on the ability of each Franchisee to successfully implement the Focus CFO System, the needs of the Focus CFO clients in the area, the ability of the Franchisee to develop Focus CFO clients, and the ability of the Franchisee to work with CFOs and clients in their area. It is anticipated that you will commence operating your franchised business within four weeks of signing the Franchise Agreement.
-
- Grant you a specific geographic region in which to operate your franchised business, which is a seventy-five (75) mile radius from your business address. However, our approval of a
specific site within this territory in which you will operate your business is not required. We do not provide any assistance in selecting an office for your business, obtaining required permits for an office, and constructing, remodeling or decorating the premises. (Franchise Agreement, Section 3).
-
- Provide you access to our IT vendor in order for you to purchase the required package of IT services. (Franchise Agreement, Section 9, Attachment G).
-
- Provide you with Focus CFO apparel and Focus CFO logo pins which can be attached to clothing. (Franchise Agreement, Section 9.5).
Continuing Assistance
During the operation of the franchised business, we will:
-
- Provide access to marketing, literature, brochures, sales tools, business cards, placement on the Focus CFO website, and other marketing initiatives that we deem appropriate for the Focus CFO System to promote ongoing sales, marketing, and client service activities. (Franchise Agreement, Section 14.1).
-
- Provide access to standard proposal and contract documents and materials. Focus CFO will enter into the professional service agreements with the clients. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.8, 7.5, Att. F).
-
- Provide access to Focus CFO's Playbook. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.1, 7.1).
-
- Provide opportunity to participate in a coordinated effort in the area of business development regarding strategies for contacting potential clients and networking sources. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.3).
-
- Provide resources and suggestions to assist you with business development activities. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.4).
-
- Provide ongoing training and updates in areas such as business development, client delivery, or other relevant industry topics;
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, Focus Cfo provides pre-opening assistance that is directly related to a franchisee's pre-opening obligations. Focus Cfo provides franchisees with access to the Focus CFO Playbook within two business days of signing the Franchise Agreement and payment of the Franchise Fee. The Playbook contains mandatory specifications, standards, operating procedures, and rules. Franchisees must also complete initial training within two weeks of signing the Franchise Agreement, which involves completing required sections of the Playbook. Franchisees cannot participate in group marketing activities or meetings with clients until this training is completed.
Focus Cfo also grants franchisees a specific geographic region to operate in, which is a 75-mile radius from the business address. However, Focus Cfo does not provide assistance in selecting an office, obtaining permits, or constructing/remodeling the premises. Focus Cfo will provide access to their IT vendor for franchisees to purchase the required IT services package and provide Focus CFO apparel and logo pins. The FDD states that the franchisee will incur expenses related to a business computer and software, printer, mobile phone, internet access, meals and entertainment, travel, automobile and mileage, and mailings and correspondence.
In Maryland, all initial fees and payments owed by franchisees shall be deferred until Focus Cfo completes its pre-opening obligations under the franchise agreement. This deferral is based on the franchisor's financial condition and is required by the Maryland Securities Commissioner, providing a financial assurance to franchisees in Maryland. This means that Focus Cfo franchisees in Maryland do not have to pay any initial fees until Focus Cfo has fulfilled their pre-opening obligations as outlined in the franchise agreement.