Can Focus Cfo require franchisees to purchase equipment exclusively from them or their affiliates?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
13-0">Required Purchases and Suppliers
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.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 14–15)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 FDD, Focus Cfo franchisees are required to purchase a package of IT services from C-Forward, their approved IT vendor. This IT package includes an Office 365 license with access to Focus CFO e-mail, Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft OneDrive. It also includes security monitoring and IT support services. Franchisees must also purchase Sandler Sales Training from The Ruby Group. These required purchases represent approximately 1-3% of the total purchases made when establishing and operating the franchised business. Focus Cfo will not allow franchisees to contract with an alternative supplier for the required IT services and sales training. Neither Focus CFO nor any officer of Focus CFO owns an interest in C-Forward or The Ruby Group. No designated supplier will make payments to Focus CFO from franchisee purchases.
Focus Cfo retains the right to mandate that any equipment, products, services, and/or supplies used in connection with the franchised business be purchased exclusively from Focus Cfo, their affiliates, or designated suppliers or distributors.
While Focus Cfo does not currently have other required supplies or designated/approved suppliers for goods, services, or real estate, they reserve the right to implement such requirements in the future. This means a prospective franchisee should be prepared for the possibility of needing to source additional items directly from Focus Cfo or their specified vendors, which could impact costs and operational flexibility.