FRANCHISE·WATCH·DESK

FDD ITEM 20 · FISCAL 2023–2025

Midtown Chimney Sweeps Item 20: outlets, closures & growth

In its latest FDD Item 20 (fiscal 2025), Midtown Chimney Sweeps reported 31 franchised outlets at year end. 6 of 39 franchised outlets open at the start of the year left the system — an annualized exit rate of 15.4%— while 0 new outlets opened. Systemwide units moved -13.9% over 2023–2025.

Item 20 · outlet status by yearas filed
Status (FTC)202320242025
Outlets at start343639
Opened230
Transfers102
Terminations004
Non-renewals002
Reacquired by franchisor002
Ceased — other reasons000
Outlets at end363931
Net change+2+3-8
How the exit count is computedfiscal 2025

4 terminations + 2 non-renewals + 0 ceased (other) = 6 exits ÷ 39 at start = 15.4%

These are the three FTC Item 20 statuses in which a franchisee involuntarily or terminally leaves the system. Transfers (2) 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 202512 states/territories
StateFranchisedCompany-owned
CO120
PA5
IA4
NJ3
NC2
NE2
WA2
MN10
CA0
MI0
OH0
UT0
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