Does Focus Cfo require a specific brand or model of business computer for franchisees?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 9.2. Franchisee is required to have a business computer. Focus CFO does not require a specific brand or model of business computer, other hardware or Internet provider. However, Focus CFO requires the business computer meet minimum specifications as determined by Focus CFO's IT provider. High-speed internet access for Franchisee's home office is strongly recommended.
Franchisees are required to maintain the following IT software, services and support on any business computer that is used to access, send or receive email through your Focus CFO issued email, or which is used conduct business in the role of an Area President.
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- 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.
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- Security monitoring service of your business computer(s) for viruses and malware.
Currently, our approved IT vendor, C-Forward provides a recurring subscription package of IT services, which is required for all Franchisees. The C-Forward package includes the IT software, services, and support, above, as well as IT support services related to your email and O365 licensed products, both as issued to you through Focus CFO, on up to five (5) computers or devices per Franchisee. These IT support services are available between the hours of 7:30am EST and 5:30pm EST. After hours emergency support is also available at an additional cost to the Franchisee. In addition to the IT support services above, C-Forward may be able to provide support services for your business-related hardware; however, these services will need to be scoped out ahead of time and provided at an additional cost per hour at the Franchisee's expense.
The current cost of the IT Services to the Franchisee is $30 per pay and will be deducted from the Franchisee's compensation each pay period. For Franchisees who have not yet started to earn compensation, Focus CFO will work with you to cover the cost until you do.
Franchisees can elect to have Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence platform, included in their subscription. The cost of electing this option is $15 per pay and will be deducted from the Franchisee's compensation each pay along with the required IT Services Fee mentioned above. If the Franchisee has not yet started to earn compensation, Focus CFO will work with you to cover the cost until you do.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 37–126)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Focus Cfo's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, while Focus Cfo does not mandate a specific brand or model of business computer, franchisees are required to have a business computer that meets the minimum specifications determined by Focus CFO's IT provider. The FDD also strongly recommends high-speed internet access for the franchisee's home office.
Focus CFO franchisees must maintain specific IT software, services, and support on any business computer used to access email through the Focus CFO-issued email or to conduct business as an Area President. This includes an Office 365 license, providing access to Focus CFO email, Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft OneDrive. Additionally, a security monitoring service for viruses and malware is required for the business computer(s).
Focus CFO's approved IT vendor, C-Forward, offers a required recurring subscription package that includes the necessary IT software, services, and support. This package also provides IT support services for email and O365 licensed products issued through Focus CFO, covering up to five computers or devices per franchisee. These IT support services are available during specific hours, with after-hours emergency support available at an additional cost. The current cost for these IT Services is $30 per pay period, deducted from the franchisee's compensation. For new franchisees not yet earning compensation, Focus CFO will work with them to cover the cost until they do. Franchisees also have the option to include Microsoft Copilot in their subscription for an additional $15 per pay period.