About ClearFDD
We built the FDD review we wish existed.
Most franchise buyers sign a 200-page legal document they barely understand, advised by brokers who get paid only if the deal closes. We thought that was insane. So we fixed it.
Why ClearFDD Exists
The franchise industry has a due diligence problem. A prospective franchisee receives a 400-page Franchise Disclosure Document, has 14 days to review it, and their main sources of guidance are: (1) a franchise broker who earns 40–50% of the franchise fee when they sign, and (2) a franchise attorney billing $400/hour who focuses on legal rights — not whether the business model is actually sound.
Meanwhile, the answers are right there in the FDD — buried in footnotes, exhibit tables, and financial statements that most buyers don't know how to read. Item 20 will tell you exactly how many locations closed last year. Item 19 will show you — if you know what to look for — whether the "average unit volume" figure excludes 40% of the system's underperformers. Item 21 will reveal whether the franchisor itself is financially healthy enough to support you.
We built ClearFDD to close that gap. Not legal advice — business analysis. The kind of structured, plain-English risk assessment that tells you what you're actually buying before you wire the money.
Our 23-Item rubric was built by reviewing FDDs across more than 50 franchise systems — QSR, fitness, home services, retail, cleaning, automotive, professional services. We identified the patterns. We built the scoring framework. And we made it available for a fraction of what a franchise attorney charges, delivered in 24 hours instead of two weeks.
We have no affiliation with any franchise brand, broker, or consultant. We don't earn a commission if you buy. We don't have a preferred franchisor list. Our only incentive is to give you an accurate picture of what the FDD says — so you can make the most informed decision possible about one of the biggest investments of your life.
How We Work
Four principles that define every report we deliver.
No conflicts of interest
We're not franchise brokers. We don't earn a commission if you buy. We have zero financial incentive to tell you a franchise is great when it isn't. Our only job is to tell you what the FDD actually says.
Plain English, not legalese
FDDs are written by franchise attorneys working for the franchisor. We translate them into language you can actually act on — GREEN, YELLOW, and RED risk flags with clear explanations of what each one means for you.
Business analysis, not legal advice
We're not a law firm. We analyze the business risk, financial health, system attrition, fee burden, and operational red flags. For legal questions, we'll tell you exactly what to bring to a franchise attorney — so you spend less time and money getting the answers you need.
The rubric is the product
We built a structured 23-Item evaluation rubric — the same framework applied to every FDD we review. No guesswork, no vibes. Every Item scored against consistent criteria developed from analyzing dozens of franchise systems across every major industry.
What ClearFDD Is — and Isn't
| ClearFDD IS | ClearFDD IS NOT |
|---|---|
| ✓A business and risk analysis service | ✗A law firm or legal advisor |
| ✓Independent — no franchisor affiliations | ✗A franchise broker or consultant |
| ✓Focused on your interests as the buyer | ✗Paid by franchisors to promote deals |
| ✓A complement to franchise attorney review | ✗A replacement for legal advice |
| ✓Plain-English findings you can act on | ✗A generic FDD summary or database |
| ✓Delivered in 24–48 hours | ✗A 2-week attorney engagement |
Common Questions
Is ClearFDD a law firm?
No. ClearFDD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. We provide business and risk analysis of Franchise Disclosure Documents. For legal advice, contract negotiation, or representation, consult a qualified franchise attorney.
Are you affiliated with any franchise brands or brokers?
No. ClearFDD has no affiliation with any franchisor, franchise broker, or franchise consultant. We do not receive commissions or referral fees from any franchise system. Our only revenue comes from buyers who pay for our analysis.
How did you build the review rubric?
Our rubric was developed by reviewing FDDs across more than 50 franchise systems spanning QSR, fitness, home services, retail, and professional services categories. We identified the patterns that distinguish healthy systems from troubled ones — and built a consistent scoring framework around those signals.
Why should I trust ClearFDD over a franchise attorney?
You shouldn't have to choose. A franchise attorney provides legal rights analysis and can negotiate your agreement. ClearFDD provides business and risk analysis — financial health, system attrition, fee burden, territorial terms. They're complementary, not competing. We actually recommend using both: ClearFDD first to understand the business picture, then a franchise attorney to address specific legal concerns. You'll spend less time and money with the attorney because you'll know exactly what to ask.
What types of franchises do you review?
We review FDDs across all franchise categories: food and beverage, fitness, home services, retail, professional services, automotive, cleaning, and more. If it has a Franchise Disclosure Document, we can analyze it.
Ready to actually understand your FDD?
Plain-English analysis of all 23 Items. Delivered in 24 hours. Starting at $497.
Get Your FDD Analyzed →No broker commissions. No conflicts of interest. Just the analysis.