Is a Focus Cfo franchisee allowed to disclose Confidential Information to any person or entity?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 15.1. It is understood that while performing services for clients, Franchisee will be provided with or will have access to confidential information regarding their business, including, their operations, financial statements, products and customers and Franchisee will also be provided with confidential information relating to Focus CFO, including but not limited to access to the confidential and proprietary Playbook ("Confidential Information"). Franchisee agrees (a) to hold in strict confidence all Confidential Information, (b) not to use, reproduce, publish, disclose or otherwise make known to any person or entity any Confidential Information at any time, (c) limit access to Confidential Information to employees, agents and independent contractors of Focus CFO or the Focus CFO client, as applicable, who have a need-to-know in connection with this Agreement or the PSA, (d) use Confidential Information only for the purposes and in connection with the performance of Franchisee's obligations under this Agreement and the PSA, as applicable; except to the extent required in the performance of Focus CFO's engagement with a client and authorized by the client or as otherwise required by applicable law.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 37–126)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are generally prohibited from disclosing Confidential Information to any person or entity. Focus Cfo considers confidential information to include data related to client businesses such as operations, financial statements, products, and customers, as well as proprietary information related to Focus Cfo itself, including access to their Playbook.
The franchise agreement mandates that franchisees must hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence and are restricted from using, reproducing, publishing, disclosing, or making it known to any person or entity. Access to Confidential Information is limited to employees, agents, and independent contractors of Focus CFO or the Focus CFO client, and only on a need-to-know basis related to the Franchise Agreement or the Professional Services Agreement (PSA).
There are limited exceptions where disclosure may be permitted, such as when required in the performance of Focus CFO's engagement with a client and authorized by the client, or as otherwise required by applicable law. Franchisees are also obligated to return all Confidential Information to Focus CFO upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement and must immediately notify Focus CFO of any unauthorized use of Confidential Information. These strict confidentiality requirements are typical in franchising to protect the brand's proprietary information and maintain a competitive advantage.