So you’ve decided to buy into a franchise. Great! Chosen right, a franchise can provide you with a stable income, flexible options, and more. That is if you choose the right franchisor. One of the keys to learning if you are selecting the right one is through the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).

What Is a Franchise Disclosure Document?

Investopedia defines it as a:

[…] legal disclosure document that must be given to individuals interested in buying a U.S. franchise as part of the pre-sale due diligence process. It contains information essential to potential franchisees about to make a significant investment […]

As the law mandates, you will receive the Franchise Disclosure Document 10 to 14 days before you sign the franchise agreement. This should give you enough time to review everything about the franchise.

Due to its sheer length (about 100 to 200 pages) and legalese terms, some people just scan through it, put it away, and only read it thoroughly when issues arise. This is why you have to be very careful with the Franchise Disclosure Document. You have to know what it includes, details to look for, and how to ensure that everything is in order.

What Does It Include?

The FDD has 23 parts, called ITEMS:

1. The Franchisor and Any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates
2. Business Experience
3. Litigation
4. Bankruptcy
5. Initial Fees
6. Other Fees
7. Estimated Initial Investment
8. Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services
9. Franchisee’s Obligations
10. Financing
11. Franchisor’s Assistance, Advertising, Computer Systems, and Training
12. Territory
13. Trademarks
14. Patents, Copyrights, and Proprietary Information
15. Obligation to Participate in the Actual Operation of the Franchise Business
16. Restrictions on What the Franchisee May Sell
17. Renewal, Termination, Transfer, and Dispute Resolution
18. Public Figures
19. Financial Performance Representations
20. Outlets and Franchisee Information
21. Financial Statements
22. Contracts
23. Receipts

Tips for Understanding the FDD

1. The Franchisor

They all discuss one thing: the franchise business. Number 1 tells you of the franchise’s history – what, where, when, why, and how. The second item shows the business experience of the franchisor and his or her executive team.

Number 3, on the other hand, tells you if the franchise was involved in any lawsuits. Consider the number of lawsuits against the size of the franchise. A small franchise with two lawsuits is a red flag. Two lawsuits against a franchise as big as Subway is a different story, though.

Has the company declared bankruptcy before? You’ll find this in number 4.

2. Fees

Numbers 5 to 6 tackle fees: initial and ongoing fees. Be aware, however, that products and other fees are not included here. Number 7 gives you the total initial cost. Understand that this is typically non-refundable. Not to mention that your business won’t be that profitable in a year or so. Can you handle this? Consider this carefully before you release a substantial amount of money.

Now jump to number 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document before you. It answers your question, “How much am I going to get from this?” However, not all franchisors supply this vital information lest they be sued for false claims. According to QSR, candidates should know, at a minimum, the average unit volume (AUV), average overhead (rent, utilities, etc.), and average operating costs (food, paper, labor, etc.) to help compute net operating income (NOI). If there is no representation, one might wonder the reasons why.

3. Restrictions on Sources of Products and Services and What the Franchisee May Sell

Remember that you are buying into an already successful business model. The franchisor knows which products, services, tools, and equipment are best used and typically buys these from a designated supplier. He or she might sell you these, which is legally accepted. However, the franchisor should disclose what discount he gets from his suppliers and the profits he is getting from you. You’ll find these in items 8 and 16.

4. Territory

Another item to consider is number 12: territory. How many franchisees are there in a certain area? Will you get a protected territory?

5. Your Obligations

Item 9 of the Franchise Disclosure Document shows you what your obligations will be as soon as you become a franchisee. Read this well and make sure that whatever is stipulated in this item is also in the Franchise Agreement.

6. Outlets and Franchise Information

If you want to find out more about the franchisor, be sure to check item 20 as it contains information on how many outlets are currently existing, how many have closed, and the names and contact numbers of current franchisees. Call them and ask for as many appointments as possible. Ask them about the franchise, its owners, values, and culture.

NOTE: This post is not in any way legal advice. Contact a franchise lawyer when you are ready to become a franchisee.

Check out the DetailXPerts opportunity. You will receive support and guidance every step of the way and will be given the franchise disclosure document as soon as legally possible so you can review it with your attorney if needed.

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