Under what condition can a Focus CFO Franchisee provide CFO Services?
Focus_Cfo Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
all have one equity owner who shall serve as an Area President. Franchisee shall obtain legal and tax advice with respect to this issue.
- 1.3. Franchisee's Equity Owner shall operate the Franchise as an Area President, working to generate new clients using Focus CFO's client development system and processes. Except as set forth in Section 1.4, the Area President does not perform the CFO Services for clients of Focus CFO. Rather, CFO Services will be performed by CFOs who have a non-exclusive license with Focus CFO to perform authorized CFO Services using the Focus CFO Marks to clients who have signed a Professional Services Agreement with Focus CFO.
- 1.4. If Franchisee expresses an intent to provide CFO Services, Franchisee may either: (i) perform CFO Services on a limited basis as a CFO, as set forth in Attachment B Section 1.E.i., under a separate CFO Licensing Agreement with Focus CFO while maintaining its status as an Area President under this Agreement; or (ii) terminate this Agreement and its right to operate as an Area President and apply with Focus CFO to acquire a non-exclusive license to operate as a CFO under a Focus CFO Licensing Agreement. Under this Section 1.4(ii), Focus CFO will not refund any difference, if applicable, between the Franchise Fee paid by Franchisee under this Agreement and any payment required to obtain a non-exclusive license.
- 1.5. Franchisee may, but is not required to, hire employees and/or outside contractors ("Support Resources") for administrative support without the written consent of Focus CFO.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 37–126)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Focus Cfo's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee typically operates as an Area President, focusing on generating new clients through Focus CFO's established systems. The Area President generally does not perform CFO services directly for clients. Instead, these services are delivered by separately licensed CFOs who utilize the Focus CFO Marks under a Professional Services Agreement with Focus CFO.
However, a Focus Cfo franchisee can provide CFO services under specific conditions. The franchisee may perform CFO services on a limited basis as a CFO under a separate CFO Licensing Agreement with Focus CFO, while still maintaining their status as an Area President. Alternatively, a franchisee can terminate their Franchise Agreement as an Area President and apply to become a licensed CFO under a Focus CFO Licensing Agreement.
It's important to note that if a Focus Cfo franchisee chooses to terminate their Area President agreement to become a licensed CFO, Focus CFO will not refund any difference between the initial franchise fee and the payment required for the non-exclusive license. Additionally, Area Presidents may offer specialized client support services, such as financial consulting or exit planning, as part of a monthly client retainer, provided there is a CFO also working on the account.