What are the restrictions on a Focus Cfo franchisee's ability to modify or alter the services offered, considering their obligations in Item 9, the trademarks granted in Item 13, and the required IT services purchase from C-Forward (Item 8)?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must comply with our rules, policies and procedures in the Franchise Agreement, Playbook and any other materials and information provided by Focus CFO and may only offer and sell those services that we have approved.
You have limitations on the types of services which you can provide in order to provide consistency with the System and the brand. The approved services include developing an Area Plan, which includes coordinating group marketing activities, business development, client delivery activities, and supporting the recruitment of CFOs in your local area. We may change or modify the scope of approved services and there is no restriction on Focus CFO to make such changes.
Focus CFO grants Franchisees the non-exclusive right to provide CFO Services under the name "Focus CFO" and use the following marks:
You may also use any other current or future trade name, trademark, service mark or logo ("Marks") that we designate for your use, including the logo on the front of this Disclosure Document, to identify yourself as a Franchisee and in connection with providing the Focus CFO services.
You must follow our rules when you use these Marks. You cannot use a name or mark as part of a corporate name or with modifying words, designs or symbols except for those which Focus CFO licenses to you. You may not use Focus CFO's registered name in connection with the sale of unauthorized products or services or in a manner not authorized in writing by Focus CFO.
You must notify Focus CFO immediately when you learn about an infringement of or challenge to your use of our trademark. Focus CFO will take the action we think appropriate.
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.
With respect to the required purchase of IT services and sales training, Focus CFO will not permit franchisees to contract with an alternative supplier.
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.
We may modify any hardware and software requirements as well as any required IT services package by providing you 30 days prior notice.
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.
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Focus Cfo Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees face several restrictions on modifying the services they offer. Focus Cfo franchisees must adhere to the rules, policies, and procedures outlined in the Franchise Agreement, Playbook, and other materials provided by Focus CFO. They are only permitted to offer and sell services that Focus Cfo has explicitly approved to maintain consistency with the Focus Cfo System and brand. The approved services include developing an Area Plan, coordinating group marketing activities, business development, client delivery activities, and supporting the recruitment of CFOs in their local area. Focus CFO retains the right to change or modify the scope of approved services at its discretion.
Regarding trademarks, Focus Cfo franchisees are granted a non-exclusive right to provide CFO Services under the "Focus CFO" name and associated marks. However, franchisees must adhere to Focus CFO's rules when using these marks. They cannot use a name or mark as part of a corporate name or with modifying words, designs, or symbols, except for those licensed by Focus CFO. Additionally, franchisees may not use Focus CFO's registered name in connection with the sale of unauthorized products or services or in a manner not authorized in writing by Focus CFO. Franchisees must also notify Focus CFO immediately if they learn of any infringement or challenge to the use of the Focus CFO trademark.
In terms of IT services, all Focus Cfo franchisees must purchase a package of IT services from C-Forward, Focus CFO's approved IT vendor. This package includes an Office 365 license with access to Focus CFO e-mail, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft OneDrive, as well as a security monitoring service and IT support. Focus CFO will not permit franchisees to contract with an alternative supplier for these required IT services. Focus CFO reserves the right to modify the required IT services, approved vendors, and the amount of the IT Services Fee, providing 30 days' prior notice. The IT vendor will install an agent on the franchisee's business computer to monitor for malware and viruses, with the right to access non-password protected files to provide IT support and security monitoring services, typically requesting permission before accessing the computer.