Is a Focus Cfo franchisee allowed to reproduce Confidential Information?
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.
- 15.2. Franchisee agrees to return to Focus CFO all Confidential Information in Franchisee's possession at the termination or expiration of this Agreement. This includes but is not limited to any information retrieved from the Playbook. Franchisee agrees to notify Focus CFO immediately when Franchisee learns about unauthorized use of Confidential Information. Focus CFO is not obligated to take any action but will respond as it deems appropriate in its sole discretion.
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 reproducing Confidential Information. The FDD specifies that franchisees will have access to confidential information regarding clients' businesses and Focus Cfo's proprietary Playbook.
The agreement explicitly states that franchisees must hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence and are not allowed to reproduce it. Access to this information is limited to employees, agents, and independent contractors of Focus Cfo or the Focus Cfo client who have a need to know. Franchisees are only allowed to use Confidential Information for the purposes of fulfilling their obligations under the Franchise Agreement and the Professional Services Agreement (PSA), and even then, only 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.
Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, franchisees must return all Confidential Information to Focus Cfo, including any information retrieved from the Playbook. Franchisees are also required to immediately notify Focus Cfo of any unauthorized use of Confidential Information. These measures are in place to protect the proprietary information and trade secrets of Focus Cfo and its clients.