Is a Focus Cfo franchisee required to purchase a package of IT services?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
All franchisees must purchase a package of IT services from our approved IT vendor, which is currently C-Forward. The package of IT services includes: an Office 365 license, which includes access to Focus CFO e-mail, Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams video conferencing platform and Microsoft OneDrive file hosting and backup service. The IT package also includes a security monitoring service of the Franchisee's computer and IT support services.
All franchisees must purchase Sandler Sales Training provided by The Ruby Group.
Currently, we have no other required supplies, designated suppliers or approved suppliers for goods, services or real estate relating to your franchised business. The required purchase of IT services and training represents about 1-3% of all purchases to be made in establishing the franchised business and while operating it. We reserve the right to require that any equipment,
products, services and/or supplies used in connection with the operation of the franchised business be purchased exclusively from us or our affiliates or suppliers or distributors we designate.
No designated supplier will make payments to Focus CFO from franchisee purchases.
Insurance Requirements
Focus CFO will provide Franchisee with reasonable business insurance coverage (general liability, crime, and employment practices), subject to standard limitations and indemnification provisions for a professional service business and Franchisee's ongoing compliance with Focus CFO's policies and standard operating procedures. This business insurance coverage extends only to the franchisee's business entity and does not extend to any employees or other support resources of the franchisee's business entity. Focus CFO may provide franchisees with, in writing, minimum insurance requirements for franchisee's employees or other support resources that must be followed. Otherwise, Focus CFO does not have any other insurance requirements.
Approval of alternative suppliers
With respect to the required purchase of IT services and sales training, Focus CFO will not permit franchisees to contract with an alternative supplier.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 14–15)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, all franchisees are required to purchase a package of IT services from Focus Cfo's approved IT vendor, currently C-Forward. This IT package includes an Office 365 license, providing access to Focus Cfo email, Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint), the Microsoft Teams video conferencing platform, and Microsoft OneDrive file hosting and backup service. Additionally, the package includes a security monitoring service for the franchisee's computer and IT support services.
The cost of the IT services is approximately $30 per pay, which is deducted from the franchisee's compensation each pay period. Focus Cfo covers this fee until the franchisee begins earning compensation. Franchisees also have the option to include Microsoft Copilot in their subscription for an additional $15 per pay. Focus Cfo retains the right to modify the required IT services, approved vendors, and the associated IT Services Fee.
Focus Cfo will not permit franchisees to contract with an alternative supplier for IT services. The estimated initial cost for a business computer, related hardware/software, and the required IT services package ranges from $2,500 to $5,000. Furthermore, Focus Cfo estimates annual costs of $1,500 to $3,000 for maintaining, updating, or upgrading the required business computer system and software.
Focus Cfo's IT vendor installs an agent on the franchisee's business computer to monitor for malware and viruses. The IT vendor has the right to access the franchisee's business computer and any non-password protected files to provide IT support and security monitoring services, though their policy is to request permission before accessing the computer. Focus Cfo itself does not have independent access to information generated or stored on the franchisee's business computer.