Franchisel.com — FDD Diligence Memo
Motto by Hilton
Generated 2026-04-06 · 2025 FDD · Government-filed source
Motto by Hilton
2025 FDD Diligence Memo
Score of 46/10 driven by: low financial transparency.
Fin Strength
3
Contract
7
Red Flags & Key Signals
Auditors raised doubt about the franchisor's ability to continue as a going concern. This is a serious financial red flag — the franchisor may not be able to support the system.
Franchisor chose not to include a Financial Performance Representation. Item 19 is voluntary per FTC rules. This is not automatically a negative signal — it means economics cannot be scored from the disclosure.
Investment Overview
Items 5, 6, 7Total investment range: Not disclosed. Initial fee: $0. Royalty: —. Marketing fund: —.
Item 19 — Revenue
Item 19 — not included in filed FDD (voluntary per FTC Franchise Rule)Economics not rated — Item 19 not available.
Not DisclosedThis franchisor chose not to include a Financial Performance Representation. Item 19 is voluntary per FTC rules. This does not indicate bad economics — it means revenue projections cannot be sourced from the disclosure document.
Item 20 — System Health
Item 20 — 2025 FDDSystem flat — net 0 units in reporting period.
→ StableUnit count essentially unchanged.
Total Units
0
Net Growth
+0
Turnover
0%
Key Contract Terms
Item 17Item 19 Data Quality Flags
Item 19No Item 19
This franchisor did not include a Financial Performance Representation in their FDD. Item 19 is voluntary per FTC rules — absence does not indicate poor economics.
Franchisee Interview Questions
Item 20 contactsUse Item 20 to get current franchisee contact info. Call at least 3-5. Ask these questions:
The franchisor's audited financials include a going-concern warning. Ask franchisees: have you heard anything about the franchisor's financial stability? Any changes to support or services recently?
Look for: Signs of reduced headquarters staffing, delayed tech updates, or reduced field support — early indicators of a financially stressed franchisor.
Cure period is only 10 days. Ask: have you ever received a default notice? How did the franchisor handle it — were they reasonable?
Look for: A short cure period combined with aggressive enforcement is a serious risk. Look for franchisees who feel supported vs. managed by threat.
How responsive is your franchisor rep — do they actually help when you have a problem, or are they just checking boxes?
Look for: Specific stories (not just vague positives). Ask about a time they needed help urgently — response time matters.
If you decided to sell your franchise tomorrow, how easy would that be? Has the franchisor ever blocked or delayed a transfer you wanted?
Look for: Transfer fee surprises, right-of-first-refusal complications, or franchisor demanding upgrades before approving a sale.
What did your revenue look like in year 1 vs. year 2 vs. now? When did you reach breakeven?
Look for: Year 1 revenue is typically well below Item 19 averages (which often exclude ramp-up units). Expect 12-24 months to reach average.
What did the training actually cover vs. what you needed on day 1? What do you wish you'd learned before opening?
Look for: Gap between training content and operational reality. New franchisees often report the training covered theory but not real-world situations.
Data sources: 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document filed with a state franchise regulator (government record). Source: Extracted from 2025 FDD filed with WI DFI (file #638064). Source: 638064-2025-Motto-by-Hilton.pdf. · Payback estimates and margin assumptions are editorial — not from the FDD. This memo does not constitute legal or financial advice. Consult a franchise attorney and accountant before signing. Generated 2026-04-06 by Franchisel.com.