What specific services are included in the IT services package that a Focus Cfo franchisee must purchase?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
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.
Source: Item 8 — Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services (FDD pages 14–15)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Focus Cfo's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to purchase a package of IT services from Focus Cfo's approved IT vendor, currently C-Forward. This IT package includes an Office 365 license, providing access to Focus Cfo e-mail, Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint), the Microsoft Teams video conferencing platform, and Microsoft OneDrive for file hosting and backup. The package also features a security monitoring service for the franchisee's computer and IT support services. The IT support services relate to the franchisee's email and O365 licensed products issued through Focus CFO, and cover up to five computers or devices per franchisee.
The IT support services are available between 7:30 am EST and 5:30 pm EST. After-hours emergency support is available at an additional cost to the franchisee. While C-Forward may offer support services for business-related hardware, these services are scoped out and provided at an additional hourly cost to the franchisee. Franchisees also have the option to include Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence platform, in their subscription for an additional $15 per pay period.
Focus CFO covers the IT Services Fee, which is approximately $30 per pay period, until the franchisee begins earning compensation. Once the franchisee starts earning, the fee is deducted from their compensation each pay period. Focus CFO reserves the right to modify the required IT services, approved vendors, and the amount of the IT Services Fee.
Franchisees are required to maintain the specified IT software, services, and support on any business computer used to access, send, or receive email through their Focus Cfo-issued email, or used to conduct business as an Area President. This ensures that all franchisees have a standardized and secure IT environment, which is essential for maintaining the integrity and security of the Focus Cfo system.