FRANCHISE·WATCH·DESK

FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2023–2025

Lee’s Famous Recipe Item 20: outlets, closures & growth

In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2025), Lee’s Famous Recipe reported 92 franchised outlets at year end. 2 of 93 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system — an annualized exit rate of 2.2%— while 3 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved +3.3% over 2023–2025.

Item 20 · outlet status by yearas filed
Status (FTC)202320242025
Outlets at start126123126
Opened143
Transfers111
Terminations200
Non-renewals001
Reacquired by franchisor5172
Ceased — other reasons211
Outlets at end123126127
Net change-3+3+1
How the exit count is computedfiscal 2025

0 terminations + 1 non-renewals + 1 ceased (other) = 2 exits ÷ 93 at start = 2.2%

These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchisee involuntarily or terminally leaves the system. Transfers (1) are resales, not exits; reacquisitions by the franchisor (2) are tracked separately. There is no official “failure rate” — this annualized exit rate is the disclosed, measurable floor.

Franchised outlets by state · fiscal 202513 states/territories
StateFranchisedCompany-owned
OH329
KY294
MI12
IN84
MO313
TN2
AL1
GA1
IL12
SC1
VA1
WI1
FL03
Before you sign anythingfree · 30 min · no commission

A broker is paid by the franchisor to place you. An independent CPA is paid by you — and the job is pressure-testing Lee’s Famous Recipe's numbers, including talking you out of a bad deal.

Talk to an independent CPA before you buy →