factual

Besides what is disclosed in the Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, is Focus Cfo required to provide any other assistance to franchisees?

Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDD

Answer from 2025 FDD Document

ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING**

Except as disclosed below, we are not required to provide you with any assistance.

Pre-Operating Assistance

Before you commence operating your business, we will:

    1. 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).
    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).
    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.
    1. 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).

    1. 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).
    1. 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:

    1. 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).
    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).
    1. Provide access to Focus CFO's Playbook. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.1, 7.1).
    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).
    1. Provide resources and suggestions to assist you with business development activities. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.4).
    1. Provide ongoing training and updates in areas such as business development, client delivery, or other relevant industry topics; this training will be either virtual or at a location within the United States. You will be responsible for any travel and lodging expenses required to attend the training. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6, 7, Att. C).
    1. Provide back office administrative support resources including billing and collections. (Franchise Agreement, Section 6.8).
    1. Provide optional business insurance coverage, subject to limitations and indemnification provisions. (Franchise Agreement, Section 10).
  1. Conduct assessments to ensure the work provided by Focus CFO Franchisees is consistent with the Focus CFO System and Focus CFO Marks. (Franchise Agreement, Section 7.4, Att. D).

All services and materials described above are specifically determined and coordinated by us.

Marketing

We will promote the Focus CFO Marks and Focus CFO System through the use of advertising or by such other means and such times and in such manner and amount as we shall, in our sole discretion, deem appropriate. We will provide you with business cards and placement on the Focus CFO website.

Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 17–23)

What This Means (2025 FDD)

According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, Focus Cfo is generally not required to provide assistance beyond what is explicitly disclosed in the document. However, Focus Cfo does provide extensive support to franchisees both before they begin operations and on an ongoing basis.

Prior to commencing operations, Focus Cfo provides franchisees with access to the Focus CFO Playbook within two business days of signing the Franchise Agreement and paying the franchise fee. This Playbook contains mandatory specifications, standards, and operating procedures. Focus Cfo also provides initial training, which consists of completing the required sections of the Playbook, and approval to participate in marketing and development opportunities typically within one to four weeks after signing the Franchise Agreement.

During the operation of the franchised business, Focus Cfo provides access to marketing materials, standard proposal and contract documents, and the Focus CFO Playbook. They also offer opportunities to participate in coordinated business development efforts, resources and suggestions for business development activities, ongoing training and updates, back-office administrative support, and optional business insurance coverage. Focus Cfo also requires franchisees to purchase a package of IT services from their approved vendor, with Focus CFO initially covering the IT Services Fee until the franchisee begins earning compensation. Franchisees are also required to participate in an 11-month Sandler Sales Training program, the cost of which is paid for by Focus CFO.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document and is provided for research purposes only. It does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decisions.