For how long may a Focus Cfo franchisee disclose confidential information?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
15. CONFIDENTIALITY; MARKS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
- 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 14 — Patents, Copyrights, and Proprietary Information (FDD pages 25–26)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Focus Cfo's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are prohibited from disclosing confidential information at any time. Specifically, while performing services for clients, the franchisee will be exposed to confidential information regarding the client's business, including operations, financial statements, products, and customers. Franchisees will also receive confidential information related to Focus CFO, including access to the confidential and proprietary Playbook.
The franchisee agrees to hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence and not to use, reproduce, publish, disclose, or otherwise make known to any person or entity any Confidential Information at any time. Access to Confidential Information is limited 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 the Franchise Agreement or the Professional Services Agreement (PSA). The franchisee can only use Confidential Information for the purposes and in connection with the performance of the franchisee's obligations under the Franchise 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.
Upon termination or expiration of the Franchise Agreement, the franchisee must return to Focus CFO all Confidential Information in the franchisee's possession. This includes any information retrieved from the Playbook. The franchisee must also notify Focus CFO immediately when the 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. These obligations regarding confidentiality extend indefinitely, meaning there is no time limit on the franchisee's duty to protect Focus CFO's confidential information.