What specific services are included in the IT services package that Focus Cfo franchisees 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, all franchisees must purchase a package of IT services from Focus CFO's approved IT vendor, currently C-Forward. This IT package includes an Office 365 license, which provides access to Focus CFO e-mail, Microsoft Office software (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint), the Microsoft Teams video conferencing platform, and Microsoft OneDrive file hosting and backup service. The package also includes a security monitoring service for the franchisee's computer and IT support services. Franchisees are also required to maintain this IT software, services, and support on any business computer used to access or send email through the Focus CFO issued email.
The IT support services included in the C-Forward package are related to the franchisee's email and O365 licensed products issued through Focus CFO, and cover up to five computers or devices per franchisee. These 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. C-Forward may also provide support services for business-related hardware, but these services will be scoped out and provided at an additional hourly cost to the franchisee.
Focus CFO also states that franchisees can elect to have Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence platform, included in their subscription for an additional $15 per pay, which will be deducted from the franchisee's compensation each pay along with the required IT Services Fee. If the franchisee has not yet started to earn compensation, Focus CFO will work with you to cover the cost until you do. 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.