Independent Research

Franchise Due Diligence Reports

Before you invest $79K–$2M in a franchise, read an independent analysis built from the actual FDD — not a broker's sales pitch.

Not affiliated with any franchise system
Verified FDD data — not marketing materials
Used by franchise attorneys and buyers
14-day money-back guarantee

Choose Your Report Package

Every package includes independent, franchisor-free analysis. Buy more reports and save more per brand.

1 brand

Standard Report

$29/ report
  • Plain-English FDD summary
  • Fee structure breakdown (Items 5–6)
  • Red flags identified with explanations
  • Litigation & bankruptcy summary
  • Unit growth & churn analysis
  • Territory protection assessment
Buy Now — $29

Instant checkout · PDF delivered within 24h

Most Popular

1 brand

Premium Report

$79/ report
  • Everything in Standard
  • Item 19 deep dive & comparability analysis
  • Category benchmarks vs. peer cohort
  • Year-over-year FDD filing changes
  • Contract red-flag summary (Item 17)
  • Franchisee interview prep questions
Buy Now — $79

Instant checkout · PDF + analyst summary email within 24h

1 brand

Executive Report

$199/ report
  • Everything in Premium
  • Lender-ready diligence pack
  • Attorney-ready memo format
  • Investment scenario modeling
  • Comparable brand recommendations
  • 30-minute expert consultation
Request Quote

Custom engagement · 5–7 business days

$29 and $79 reports are instant self-serve checkout via Stripe. $199 Executive Reports are custom engagements — contact reports@franchisel.com. 14-day money-back guarantee on all purchases.

What's Included in Every Report

Every report component is designed to answer the questions franchise buyers actually have — and that franchisors rarely volunteer.

Full FDD Analysis — All 23 Items

We translate every mandatory disclosure item into plain English. From litigation history (Item 3) to territory rights (Item 12) to financial statements (Item 21) — every item explained and flagged.

Item 19 Deep Dive

Financial performance representations decoded. We identify what the franchisor chose to disclose, what they excluded, and how the numbers compare to independent benchmarks in the same category.

Investment Model & Break-Even Calculator

A complete financial model built from Item 7 and Item 19 data. Includes a break-even calculator with adjustable revenue and cost assumptions — so you can stress-test the economics before you commit.

Red Flag Registry

Every concern identified and rated by severity. Each red flag includes the specific FDD item it appears in, why it matters, and questions to ask the franchisor or existing franchisees during validation.

Competitor Benchmarking

How does this brand compare to the top 3–5 competitors in its category? Investment range, royalty burden, unit economics, and growth trajectory — side by side, sourced from government-filed FDD data.

Public-Source Sentiment Context

Where available: publicly sourced sentiment data from FBR surveys, industry ratings, and Glassdoor — clearly labeled by source and date. Kept separate from FDD data. Not blended into scores.

Territory Analysis

We evaluate the exclusivity language in Item 12, identify carve-outs that may allow encroachment, and assess the commercial viability of the territory structure in context of market saturation.

Validation Call Question Guide

A tailored list of the most important questions to ask during franchisee validation calls — based on the specific red flags and concerns identified in your brand's report.

Sample Report Excerpt

This is a mock excerpt for a fictional brand “Meridian Fresh Co.” — illustrating the depth of analysis in every report.

M

Meridian Fresh Co.

FDD Year: 2025 · Fast Casual Food & Beverage · 312 units

6.4

Overall Score

Proceed with Caution

Recommendation

Red Flag Registry (3 identified)

HighItem 3: 14 franchisee-initiated lawsuits in 5 years
MediumItem 12: No exclusivity — online & non-traditional carve-outs
LowItem 7: Working capital likely understated by ~30%

Full report includes detailed explanations and recommended validation questions for each flag.

Report Contents

Executive Summary
Preview
FDD Item Analysis (All 23)
Preview
Red Flag Registry — 3 flags identified
Preview
Item 19 Deep Dive
Break-Even Calculator
Public-Source Sentiment Context
Competitor Benchmarking
Territory Analysis
Validation Call Questions

Full report: 38 pages + appendices

Item 19 Excerpt — Financial Performance

$684K

Median Gross Sales

Based on 89 reporting units

$421K

25th Percentile

Lower quartile performers

$510K

Est. Break-Even

At avg cost structure

8.5%

Royalty Burden

Royalty + fund + tech

Fictional data for illustration purposes. Real reports use actual FDD Item 19 disclosures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How current is the data?

Every report is built from the brand's most recently filed FDD. Franchisors are required to update their FDD annually (typically Q1–Q2). We flag the FDD year prominently in each report and note when a new filing is expected. If a new FDD is filed within 60 days of your purchase, we'll send you an update at no additional charge.

What format are reports delivered in?

Reports are delivered as professionally formatted PDFs, typically 30–50 pages depending on the complexity of the brand. PDF format means you can annotate, share with your attorney, and keep a permanent reference copy. We also include a one-page summary sheet designed to be printed for franchisee validation calls.

Is this legal or financial advice?

No. Franchisel reports are research and analysis tools, not legal or financial advice. We strongly recommend hiring a qualified franchise attorney to review the franchise agreement and FDD, and working with a financial advisor on the investment decision. Our reports are designed to make those professional conversations more productive — not to replace them.

Can I get a refund?

Yes. If you're not satisfied with the depth or quality of a report within 14 days of delivery, we'll issue a full refund — no questions asked. We stand behind the quality of our analysis. In practice, refund requests are rare because we review each order before starting to confirm the brand has an available FDD.

How does this differ from a franchise broker?

A franchise broker is paid a commission — typically 40–50% of the franchise fee — when you buy a franchise they recommend. Their financial incentive is for you to buy, not to help you buy the right thing. Franchisel has no financial relationship with any franchisor. We earn revenue only from report sales, and our analysis is designed to help you make an informed decision — including the decision not to buy.

Can I request a report for a brand not in your directory?

Yes. We can prepare a custom report for any franchise brand with a publicly filed FDD. Email us the brand name at reports@franchisel.com and we'll confirm availability and timeline. Custom reports outside our directory typically take 5–7 business days.

Know What You're Buying Before You Buy It

A $29 Standard report is the cheapest insurance policy available for a $79K–$2M investment. Our only incentive is your success — not a commission.

Questions? Email reports@franchisel.com

Important Notice:Franchisel provides franchise research and analysis for informational purposes only. This is not financial, legal, or investment advice. All financial data labeled “Estimated” is approximate and has not been verified against actual FDD filings. Data labeled “FDD Verified” or “State Filing” has been extracted directly from government-filed Franchise Disclosure Documents (MN CARDS, WI DFI, CA DFPI) but may not reflect the most recent filing. Unit counts, revenue figures, and other metrics change frequently. Always request and independently verify the current FDD from the franchisor before making any investment decision. Consult a qualified franchise attorney and accountant before investing. Franchisel is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any franchise system listed on this platform. Scores reflect our editorial analysis methodology and are not endorsed by any franchisor.