For Focus Cfo franchisees in Virginia, can a franchisee disclaim reliance on statements made by Focus Cfo or its representatives?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
CFO Group, LLC and you are preparing to enter into a Franchise Agreement for the operation of a Focus CFO business. In this Franchisee Disclosure Questionnaire, Focus CFO Group, LLC will be referred to as "we" or "us." Please review each of the following questions carefully and provide honest and complete responses to each question.
No statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed or agreed to by you in connection with the commencement of the franchise relationship shall have the effect of (i) waiving any claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or (ii) disclaiming reliance on any statement made by Focus CFO, and any franchise seller, or oth
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 37–126)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee cannot disclaim reliance on statements made by Focus Cfo or its representatives. Specifically, any statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by the franchisee in connection with starting the franchise relationship will not waive claims under any applicable state franchise law, including fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on any statement made by Focus Cfo, franchise seller, or other persons acting on behalf of Focus Cfo. This protection is in place regardless of any other terms in any document executed for the Focus Cfo franchise.
This provision ensures that Focus Cfo franchisees are protected from being bound by agreements that might inadvertently waive their rights to make claims based on misrepresentations or fraud. It reinforces the importance of the disclosures made in the Franchise Disclosure Document itself, preventing Focus Cfo from using separate documents to circumvent franchise laws.
However, it is important to note that the FDD includes a Multi-State Addenda that specifically addresses disclaimer reliance for franchisees in Maryland. The addendum states that no statement, questionnaire, or acknowledgment signed by a franchisee can waive claims under any applicable state law, including fraud in the inducement, or disclaim reliance on any statement made by the franchisor, franchise seller, or other person acting on behalf of the franchisor. This provision supersedes any other term of any document executed in connection with the franchise, but it only applies to franchisees who are residents of Maryland or locate their franchises in Maryland. Since there is no similar addendum for Virginia, the general rule applies that franchisees cannot disclaim reliance on statements made by Focus Cfo or its representatives.