Find the Item 20 report in FranConnect and understand what each of its five tables shows — the FDD section prospective franchisees use to judge the health of your system.
You need access to Info Manager › Reports. The figures come from dates already recorded in FranConnect — opening dates, termination dates, agreement expiry dates and transfer or type-change dates — so accuracy depends on those being up to date.
Step 1 — Open the Item 20 report
Go to Info Manager › Reports, click Item 20 Reports in the left-hand box, then FDD Item 20 Report.
1. System Wide Outlet Summary
The size and growth of your whole network, usually across the last three fiscal years.
| Column | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Outlets at the Start of the Year | Locations open on 1 January, from each unit's opening or expected opening date |
| Outlets at the End of the Year | Locations open on 31 December, from the same dates |
| Net Change | End of year minus start of year |
This is the growth trajectory and stability of the system at a glance.
2. Transfers of Outlets from Franchisees to New Owners
Outlets transferred from one franchisee to another independent owner (not the franchisor), over the last three fiscal years.
| Column | What it shows |
|---|---|
| State | Where the unit operates |
| Year | The last three fiscal years from the filtered year |
| Number of Transfers | Transfers in that year, from the transfer date entered when the transfer was completed |
A high transfer count can signal profitability, support or turnover problems; a low count suggests franchisees are content to stay.
3. Projected Openings
Expected future growth — a table the FTC requires franchisors to disclose during the sales process.
| Column | What it shows |
|---|---|
| State | Where the unit operates |
| Agreements Signed But Outlet Not Opened | Signed but unopened outlets with projected openings in the filtered period |
| Projected New Franchised Outlet Next Fiscal Year | From the expected opening date of franchises in Opener at the "In Development" stage |
| Projected New Company-Owned Outlet Next Fiscal Year | The same, for corporate locations |
These are projections, not guarantees — prospective franchisees should still do their own due diligence.
4. Status of Franchised Outlets
Three years of franchise openings, closures and changes of hands.
| Column | Where the number comes from |
|---|---|
| State / Year | Location, and the last three fiscal years from the filtered year |
| Outlets at Start of Year | Opening dates of open units |
| Outlets Opened | Opening dates within that year |
| Terminations | Termination dates of terminated units |
| Non-Renewals | Agreement expiration dates |
| Reacquired by Franchisor | The change date entered when the franchisee type was changed |
| Ceased Operations – Other Reasons | Termination dates for units in this category |
| Outlets at the End of the Year | Open units not closed during that year |
5. Status of Company-Owned Outlets
The same three-year view for the franchisor's own units.
| Column | Where the number comes from |
|---|---|
| State / Year | Location, and the last three fiscal years |
| Outlets at Start of Year / Outlets Opened | Opening dates of open units |
| Reacquired From Franchisee | The change date entered when the franchisee type was changed |
| Outlets Closed | Termination dates of terminated outlets |
| Outlets Sold to Franchisee | The change date for units in this category |
| Outlets at the End of the Year | Open units not closed during that year |
This shows how committed the franchisor is to running its own units — often a good indicator of how well it understands the business model and the support franchisees can expect.