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B56/100FDD 2025

The Scout Guide — Litigation & Risk

Business Services - Other · FDD Items 3, 4 & 5

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Lower Risk

No litigation cases disclosed in FDD Items 3 and 4.

Source: FDD Items 3–5

FDD Items 3 & 4

Litigation Metrics

Cases disclosed
0
Total from FDD Items 3 and 4
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
—
Franchisor or officer bankruptcy
Overall risk score
56 / 100
FranchiseVerdict composite
Rating
MODERATE
STRONG / MODERATE / CAUTION / AVOID

7(a) FOIA data · FY2020–present

SBA Loan Performance

Aggregated from public SBA 7(a) loan disclosures. Default rate is the share of loans that were charged off or settled for less than the full balance.

Total 7(a) loans
3
Government-backed loans issued
Default rate
—
vs <3% typical · system-wide
5-yr default rate
—
Defaults
0 loans
Loans charged off or defaulted
Total loan volume
$118K
Avg loan size
$39K
Participating lenders
2

FDD Items 5, 6 & 17 — what you give up

Contract Risk Indicators

Mandatory arbitration
Not required
You retain the right to sue in court
Jury trial waiver
Waived
You give up the right to a jury trial
Non-compete
2 yrs
Post-termination restriction on similar businesses
Franchisor can compete
Yes
Franchisor can open competing locations in or near your territory
Right of first refusal
Yes
Franchisor can match any purchase offer when you try to sell
Governing law
Virginia
State whose law governs disputes — relevant if you're not based there

What drove the 56/100 rating

Risk Score Breakdown

  1. 01MEDNo Item 19 financial disclosure (avg revenue and net income not disclosed) prevents ROI validation against $129,600-$288,100 investment
  2. 02MEDSlow unit growth of 6.8% YoY with only 95 units suggests limited brand recognition and market traction
  3. 03MEDHigh 10% royalty rate combined with undisclosed profitability creates uncertainty about actual take-home income
  4. 04HIGHNo going concern statement is neutral but combined with slow growth and hidden financials raises questions about system viability
  5. 05MINORModest franchise fee ($50,000) relative to total investment suggests most capital goes to startup costs with unclear revenue visibility

Severity inferred from FDD text — not a regulatory or legal classification

Litigation data from FDD Items 3, 4, and 5. SBA data from public 7(a) FOIA records (FY2020–present). Not legal advice — consult a franchise attorney before signing any franchise agreement.