Is Focus Cfo required to provide a specific laptop or computer to franchisees?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
rticipate in any advertising fund.
Computer Requirements
Franchisees are required to have a business computer to be used for business purposes. Your business computer must meet the minimum specifications as determined by Focus CFO's IT provider. We do not require a specific laptop, computer, other hardware or internet provider. However, high-speed internet access for your home office is strongly recommended.
We require all Franchisees to purchase a package of IT services selected by Focus CFO from our approved IT vendor. These services are currently provided by C-Forward and will include 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 your business computer and IT support services as described in Attachment G to the Franchise Agreement.
Focus CFO will pay for the IT Services Fee until you begin to earn compensation. The IT Services Fee is deducted by the Company from each Franchisee's compensation each pay period. The cost of such IT services is currently Thirty Dollars ($30) per pay. We reserve the right to modify the required IT services and/or approved vendors and/or the amount of such IT Services Fee.
Currently, we estimate the cost to obtain a business computer, any related hardware or software and the required package of IT services to be $2,500 to $5,000.
We may modify any hardware and software requirements as well as any required IT services package by providing you 30 days prior notice. If your business computer does meet minimum specifications, we will require you to purchase, lease and/or license new or modified computer hardware and/or software. We estimate the annual costs of maintaining, updating or upgrading support to your required business computer system and software to be $1,500 to $3,000.
Our IT vendor will install an agent on your business computer to allow them to monitor your computer for malware and viruses which can impact the Focus CFO email system and the performance of your computer. Our IT vendor has the right to access your business computer and any non-password protected files so that they can provide IT support and these security monitoring services. Their policy is to request permission before accessing your business computer.
Focus CFO does not have any independent access t
Source: Item 11 — Franchisor's Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training (FDD pages 17–23)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Focus Cfo's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Focus Cfo does not require franchisees to use a specific laptop or computer. However, franchisees are required to have a business computer that meets the minimum specifications determined by Focus CFO's IT provider. While a specific laptop, computer, or internet provider is not mandated, high-speed internet access for the franchisee's home office is strongly recommended.
Focus CFO requires all franchisees to purchase a package of IT services from their approved IT vendor, C-Forward. This package includes an Office 365 license with access to Focus CFO email, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft OneDrive. The IT package also includes security monitoring of the franchisee's business computer and IT support services. Focus CFO will initially pay for the IT Services Fee, which is later deducted from the franchisee's compensation at $30 per pay period.
The estimated initial cost for a business computer, related hardware/software, and the required IT services package ranges from $2,500 to $5,000. Franchisees should also anticipate annual costs of $1,500 to $3,000 for maintaining, updating, or upgrading their computer system and software. Focus CFO retains the right to modify hardware and software requirements, as well as the required IT services package, with 30 days' prior notice. If a franchisee's computer does not meet the minimum specifications, they will be required to purchase or lease new hardware or software. The IT vendor will install an agent on the franchisee's computer to monitor for malware and viruses, with the right to access non-password protected files for IT support and security monitoring, typically requesting permission beforehand. Focus CFO itself does not have independent access to information on the franchisee's business computer.